Jay Pharoah’s personal top 10 “Saturday Night Live” sketches
August 22, 2016 Mark Says Hi! Features, Jay Pharoah, Saturday Night Live
Jay Pharoah is showing no signs of slowing down despite the news that he will no longer be a part of Saturday Night Live. He’s hit the ground running landing a Showtime series while heading down to Houston to perform stand-up. In fact, the shows in Houston have gone so well that the comedian took to Facebook to make an announcement, “After returning to Houston and having a phenomenal weekend 4/5 standing ovations 3/5 sold out shows… I have concluded that I have to do my SPECIAL HERE!!!”
This will be Pharoah’s first special since 2015’s Can I Be Me? which also premiered on Showtime. Known for his spot on impressions of Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Jay-Z, and Barack Obama, not only has Pharoah carved out a niche for himself, he’s found a way to expand on his universe through stand-up. As for his upcoming show, White Famous, Pharoah will star in the half-hour comedy about an African American comedian who tries to maintain his identity as he crosses over to mainstream celeb status. Jamie Foxx will executive produce and appear in a recurring role.
Pharoah has also recently taken to social media to pay tribute to his time spent on SNL by listing his favorite sketches he’s written/performed he considers “Proud Moments.” And here they are:
1. Principal Frye (Josh Brolin Episode)
A high school prom is interrupted by warnings from Principal Frye (Jay Pharaoh) and announcements, by various teachers, included the revelations by an intoxicated teacher (Josh Brolin) that he’s having an affair with a student. [Season 37, 2012]
2. Returns and Exchanges (Jane Lynch Episode)
Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington (Jay Pharoah) works the returns and exchanges counter at a Macy’s department store to research a role, but ends up suspecting a customer (Jane Lynch) returning a black bag of being a racist. [Season 36, 2010]
3. What does my girl say? (Kerry Washington episode)
In a parody of “What Does the Fox Say?,” a guy (Jay Pharoah) laments the fact that his girlfriend (Kerry Washington) caught him texting with another woman. [Season 39, 2013]
4. 28 reasons (Melissa McCarthy 2014 episode)
In honor of Black History Month, three students (Jay Pharoah, Sasheer Zamata, Kenan Thompson) sing a song that offers 28 reasons to hug a black guy today. Reason number one: they deserve a chance. Reasons two through 28: slavery. [Season 39, 2014]
5. Rental Car “D’Wand”(Drake episode 2016)
A couple (Vanessa Bayer, Beck Bennett) tries to get through to a pair of unhelpful employees (Drake, Jay Pharoah) at a rental car company. [Season 41, 2016]
6. Bride of Blackenstein (Jessie Eisenberg episode)
Dr. Blackenstein (Jay Pharoah) and Igor (Jesse Eisenberg) create a bride (Nicki Minaj) for the monster (Kenan Thompson), but realize they’ve made a mistake when her attitude is as big as her rear in this blacksploitation parody. [Season 36, 2011]
7. Comedians Meeting (Jonah Hill 2016 episode)
Jay Pharoah recounts a secret meeting between black comedians. He tears through 9 impressions and it’s quite impressive.
8. Winnie the Pooh “Denny the Real” (Peter Dinklage episode)
Winnie the Pooh’s (Peter Dinklage) cousin, Denny the Real (Jay Pharoah), crashes his birthday party with Christopher Robin (Taran Killam), Tigger (Kenan Thompson), Piglet (Kate McKinnon) and Eeyore (Bobby Moynihan). [Season 41, 2016]
9. Listening Party (Kevin Hart 2015 episode)
Rapper Chocolate Droppa’s (Kevin Hart) revealing new single is inspired by his crew’s biggest secrets. With Leslie Jones, Jay Pharoah, Bobby Moynihan, Taran Killam, Cecily Strong, Beck Bennett, Pete Davidson and Kenan Thompson. [Season 40, 2015]
10. Unstoppable (Scarlett Johansen 2010)
Everything is measured in Chrysler buildings as Rosario Dawson (Scarlett Johansson) tries to help Denzel Washington (Jay Pharoah) and Chris Pine (Taran Killam) stop a speeding train in this spoof trailer for Unstoppable. [Season 36, 2010]
