Food Has Always Been Part of SNL’s History

Sarah Sherman’s “Meatballs” sketch is less about food and more about semi-sentient meatballs-as-bodily growths and how they ruin a date. Does it make sense? No, but these weird little guys, with their catchy lil song, are strangely compelling—because the sketch commits to the bit, awkward chuckles become genuine laughs. Spills, stains, and sheer excess: Absurdity is the name of the game.

NBC

In 1998’s “Delicious Dish” sketch, Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon as velvet-voiced NPR hosts calmly describe Pete Schweddy’s (Alec Baldwin) meatball prep. Were any of us listening to the content of the conversation? Not really, but only because the three actors were so straight-faced in their embrace of innuendo, we paid attention to nothing else.

Gasteyer, Nwodim, and Sherman also participated in a few rounds of restaurant-related banter in the test Kitchen; be sure to check out Bon Appétit’s Instagram and Food People podcast for the full conversation.

Whether it’s physical gags or just plain weirdness, SNL will never run out of ways to make food hilarious. After all, everyone eats—just not always gracefully.

PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Photographed and directed by Justin J Wee
Video by Reagan Petrehn
Styling by Britt Theodora (Nwodim), Emily Sanchez (Gasteyer), DyShaun Burton (Sherman).
Styling assistance by Trèvon Smith.
Hair by Takuya Yamaguchi (Nwodim), Siji Yamada (Gasteyer), Gina Ferrucci (Sherman).
Makeup by Billie Gene (Nwodim), Jessi Butterfield (Gasteyer), Rachel Paganai (Sherman).
Food styling by Lauren Bloomberg
Set design and props by Kristen Dempsey

FASHION CREDITS:
On Nwodim: Dress by Altuzarra Etta, earrings by Heaven Mayhem, cuff by AGMES.
On Gasteyer: Top and skirt by Tanya Taylor earrings and necklace by Mejuri, ring by Maria Jose.
On Sherman: Vintage red turtleneck.