“Saturday Night Live” has been a staple of American entertainment since its debut in 1975. Over the decades, it has produced countless iconic sketches. Here are the 15 best SNL sketches, ranked for their humor, impact, and originality.

1. Celebrity Jeopardy! – A recurring sketch that parodies the game show “Jeopardy!” by featuring Will Ferrell as Alex Trebek and various cast members as inept celebrities.

2. Wayne’s World – This sketch introduced the world to Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey), two metalheads broadcasting a public-access television show from Wayne’s basement.

3. More Cowbell – Featuring Christopher Walken as music producer, “The Bruce Dickinson,” and Will Ferrell as cowbell-obsessed Gene Frenkle, this sketch became an instant classic with its absurd focus on the cowbell.

4. Haunted Elevator (featuring David S. Pumpkins) – Tom Hanks stars as the bizarre David S. Pumpkins, leaving guests questioning his part in this haunted ride.

5. Black Jeopardy! – A clever twist on the “Jeopardy!” parodies that showcases Kenan Thompson as the host, engaging contestants in topics relevant to African-American culture.

6. Mom Jeans – This commercial parody hilariously captures the fashion sensibilities of moms everywhere with its high-waisted denim disaster.

7. Dick in a Box – A digital short featuring Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg singing a tongue-in-cheek R&B ballad about exactly what you think it is.

8. Debbie Downer – Rachel Dratch plays Debbie Downer, who has a knack for bringing up depressing topics at the most inopportune times, often accompanied by a wah-wah sound effect.

9. Matt Foley: Motivational Speaker – Chris Farley stars as Matt Foley, an intense motivational speaker who “lives in a van down by the river.”

10. Opera Man – Adam Sandler brings his musical talents to Weekend Update with his hilarious caricature of an opera singer covering current events.

11. Close Encounter – Kate McKinnon steals the show with her outlandish portrayal of an alien abductee who had a very different experience from her fellow captives.

12. Schweddy Balls – Alec Baldwin guests stars as Pete Schweddy who shares his deliciously named holiday treats on NPR’s “Delicious Dish” program.

13. Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton Address the Nation – Tina Fey’s spot-on impression of Sarah Palin alongside Amy Poehler’s Hillary Clinton became one of SNL’s most talked-about political sketches.

14. The Spartan Cheerleaders – Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri play eager yet uncoordinated cheerleaders trying outlandish routines to win over crowds at various events.

15. Lazy Sunday – The second SNL Digital Short ever broadcast features Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg rapping about cupcakes and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” pioneering a new era for SNL skits in the digital age.

With these memorable moments, “Saturday Night Live” continues to influence comedy while remaining a launch pad for comedic talent and unforgettable characters more than four decades after its inception.