First off – thank you everyone for voting. It makes me so happy to do these every year and see so much action from y’all. We had some nail biters in the first round and way more ties and 1 vote victories in the first round than we have ever had before. With two hours left in voting on the Round of 64, we were staring at Mrs. Clumsy Optimist needing to cast her tie-breaking vote on 6 of our 32 matchups. And there were 4 more that were at one vote margins. Just absolutely wild stuff.

This was one of the more hotly contested first rounds we have ever had. While we did manage three 100-0 matchups, there were the afore mentioned 6 ties (we usually have less than 6 ties over the course of the entire tournament!) and 4 other matchups that ended up being decided by one vote! We lost two 4-seeds and one of our 5-seeded sketches. Only one region went completely scratch and we officially have three Cinderella stories ready to jump into action!

Just a note here: In the last few years, we have had some technical issues with the Round of 64 page loading because there were too many video previews trying to load at once so we had to make individual region voting pages. That wasn’t a problem beginning with the Round of 32 and I’m assuming it should all be solid this year as well, but if you do run into loading issues or whatnot please let me know so I can find a work-around!

The second round begins now and voting will end Wednesday, March 26 at 5pm Central. There are already a few damn near impossible choices to be made. Good luck!

But first — Let’s get on to the results! Remember all “scores” are percentages from voting.

Round of 68

John Belushi Region

(1) Word Association – 1975 vs (16) The Thing That Wouldn’t Leave – 1978

The thing about ‘Word Association’ is it’s the sketch that truly set the stage for the first cast’s run. It’s very dark, almost brutal in it’s comedy. It is an all-timer. In the end our 1 seed showed their power against the upstart 16 seed ‘The Thing That Wouldn’t Leave’ by a final of 100-0. The first match of the Tournament gives us our first 100-0 score!

(2) Blues Brothers: Soul Man – 1978 vs (15) Buckwheat Dead and America Mourns – 1983

This one was a toughy. The ‘Soul Man’ sketch, to me, is less funny than the 15 seed ‘Buckwheat Dead and America Mourns’, but has far more staying power in the collective. At the end of voting, the Blues Brothers move on by a final of 75-25.

(3) Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood: Nutrition – 1981 vs (14) Gumby – 1984

Two classic Eddie Murphy sketches. It’s over 40 years later still quote them both frequently and could not bring myself to vote on this one. Just couldn’t decide. It seems y’all didn’t have the same problem as ‘Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood’ moves along by a final of 80-20. One last time…“I’m Gumby, Dammit!”

(4) The Coneheads – 1977 vs (13) The Olympia Restaurant: Cheeseburger, Chips, and Pepsi – 1978

This matchup was one that I had a feeling could be our first true upset. And boy was I right as the classic cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger sketch blows out the 4 seed ‘Coneheads’ and moves on to the Round of 32 by a final score of 73-27.

(5) Two Wild and Crazy Guys – 1978 vs (12) The French Chef – 1978

Our 12 seed in this bracket was almost left off before I touched base with my dad to see if I missed anything and he was like “There is a disturbing lack of Dan Akyroyd as Julia Child”. Completely whiffed on this masterpiece. I’m sure there are tons more I missed. At close of voting, Mrs. Child spurting blood (the original in a long line of this gag) just didn’t have the steam to overtake ‘Two Wild and Crazy Guys’ which moves on by a final of 64-36.

(6) The Loud Family – 1978 vs (11) The Mr. Bill Show – 1976

‘The Loud Family’ is a favorite in the Clumsy Optimist household but I still catch myself saying “Oh No!!” like they do in the ‘Mr. Bill’ sketch. With an hour left to vote, this one was a 1-vote match. It came down to the wire, but The Louds held on to that margin winning 54-46.

(7) The Samurai Futaba – 1975 vs (10) Bees Dramatic Scene – 1975

Two of the most classic early Belushi characters. Another that I could not bring myself to choose on. But y’all made the choice and I stand with you as ‘The Samurai Futaba’ gets the close win 64-36.

(8) Roseanne Roseannadanna on Smoking – 1978 vs (9) The Church Lady – 1986

Two of my favorite characters from the first decade and a half. I thought possibly the 9 seed ‘Church Lady’ had an inside track as that character would bridge the gap between the viewers of the first few casts and the Millennial vote. As it turned out, my thinking was right on as ‘Roseanne Roseannadanna’ goes down to the 9 seed by a final score of 75-25.

Phil Hartman Region

(1) Matt Foley: Van Down by the River – 1993 vs (16) Simon: Summer Vacation Drawings – 1991

I believed that this matchup may give us our first 100-0 decision. It was oh so close as ‘Simon’ and his drarwrings got one vote and are sent to live in a van down by the river by a final of 92-8.

(2) Celebrity Jeopardy!: French Stewart, Burt Reynolds, & Sean Connery – 1999 vs (15) Opera Man – 1993

Poor, poor ‘Opera Man’. I had high hopes for you, but you ran into a buzzsaw. Our 2 seed ‘Celebrity Jeopardy!’ put the gas down and never let up, giving us our second 100-0 result of the tournament.

(3) Wayne’s World: Aerosmith – 1990 vs (14) The Culps – 1997

In the battle of musical love on SNL, Wayne and Garth could not be contained as they flew passed 14 seed Marty and Bobbi-Mohan Culp by a final of 77-23.

(4) Bill Swerski’s Super Fans – 1991 vs (13) Schmitt’s Gay – 1991

Honestly, this matchup seemed easy at first glance but the more I thought about it, the more I just couldn’t decide. You people felt my pain as our 4 seed fans of Daaaaa Bears! move on to the 2nd round, gathering a 1-vote victory over the solid 13 seed ‘Schmitt’s Gay’ by a final of 54-46.

(5) Chippendales Audition – 1990 vs (12) NPR’s Delicious Dish: Schweddy Balls – 1998

On the other hand, I thought this Chris Farley/Patrick Swayze perfection of a 5 seed would move on easily. 12 seed ‘Schweddy Balls’ said “Not so fast, my friend!” and put up a hell of a fight, ultimately coming up just short. Our 5 seed moves to the Round of 32 on the back of a 1-vote win 54-46!

(6) Mary Katherine Gallagher – 1995 vs (11) Jingleheimer Junction – 1998

Oh man, do I love me some 11 seed ‘Jingleheimer Junction’. It’s just so silly. I knew this one was going to have a tough go of it against an all-time character in 6 seed Mary Katherine Gallagher. And I was correct, as the Superstar moves on 69-31. Nice.

(7) Spartan Cheerleaders – 1997 vs (10) The Continental – 1990

One that everyone knows vs one that if you know it, it’s either your favorite or most hated. That’s a tough hill to climb for ‘The Continental’ and in the end, the 7 seed ‘Spartan Cheerleaders’ was just way too much as they move on 71-29.

(8) The Roxbury Guys – 1996 vs (9) Leon Phelps, The Ladies Man – 1997

Of these two, I lean very slightly towards ‘The Ladies Man’. Very slightly. Honestly I couldn’t pick and left this one blank on my ballot. Y’all felt me on this one as well with the 8 seed ‘Roxbury Guys’ edging out the 9 seed by a couple of votes 57-43. The battle of the horny dudes being won by the 8 seed means the Phil Hartman Region is the only one of our four regions to go scratch, with the 1-8 seeds moving along.

Chris Farley Region

(1) More Cowbell – 2000 vs (16) The Shooting AKA Dear Sister – 2007

Mrs. Clumsy Optimist reminded me of this 16 seed, that maybe only makes sense if you watched the finale of “The O.C.”, which was immediately thrown to the wolves as what could possibly be our #1 overall seed ‘More Cowbell’ gets our third and final opening round 100-0 victory.

(2) Debbie Downer: Disney World – 2004 vs (15) Sarah Palin and Hillary Address the Nation – 2008

The Sarah Palin and Hillary sketch held much more of a hold on y’all than I expected. It put on a hell of a fight but the 2 seed ‘Debbie Downer’ sneaked in a win by a couple of votes 58-42.

(3) Colonel Angus Comes Home – 2003 vs (14) Brian Fellows Safari Planet – 2002

There are very few sketches in the history of SNL that have made me laugh more on first viewing than our 3 seed ‘Colonel Angus Comes Home’. 14 seed ‘Brian Fellows’ tried mightily but ultimately fell to Colonel Angus 67-33.

(4) Dysfunctional Family Dinner – 2001 vs (13) The Love-ahs – 2001

Hoo boy. This was an entirely too difficult choice. And after three days of voting it was deadlocked 50-50. Mrs. Clumsy Optimist watched both sketches in their entirety to make sure she felt the way she thought and ultimately our first tie was broken in favor of the 13 seed ‘The Love-Ahs’.

(5) D*** in a Box – 2006 vs (12) Mom Jeans – 2003

A matchup that was an entirely different animal saw 5 seed ‘D*** in a Box’ just absolutely manhandle the 12 seed ‘Mom Jeans’ by a final of 82-18.

(6) Corksoakers – 2004 vs (11) Single Ladies – 2008

Our second tie of the Chris Farley Region saw the 11 seed ‘Single Ladies’ make a late run to get to a 50-50 score, which was broken in favor of the 6 seed and personal favorite ‘Corksoakers’.

(7) What Up With That? – 2009 vs (10) MacGruber – 2007

Here we find one of my favorite Sudeikis side characters just jumping all over the place while Keenen sings against one of the all-time great bumper sketches in 10 seed ‘MacGruber’. ‘What Up With That?’ moves on to the 2nd round 64-36.

(8) Lazy Sunday – 2005 vs (9) Like a Boss – 2009

8 seed ‘Lazy Sunday’ very well may be the most important music video SNL has ever produced. It was the first truly viral video shortly after YouTube came out. 9 seed ‘Like a Boss’ is funnier to me. Truly could not pick here and the match ended in a 50-50 draw. But the historical choice was picked by Mrs. Clumsy Optimist and ‘Lazy Sunday’ moves along.

Norm MacDonald Region

(1) Close Encounter – 2015 vs (16) Haunted Elevator – 2016

Mr. David S. Pumpkins’ 16 seed ‘Haunted Elevator’ put up more of a fight against the 1 seed ‘Close Encounter’ than any of the other 1/16 matchups, but it still was a runaway as the 1 seed moves along to the Round of 32 by a final of 70-30. “Any questions?”

(2) Meet Your Second Wife – 2015 vs (15) You’re a Rat Bastard, Charlie Brown – 2012

A couple of our 2 seeds struggled in the first round. Our Norm MacDonald Region 2 seed ‘Meet Your Second Wife’ ran up against a shockingly good and hilarious 15 seed in ‘You’re a Rat Bastard, Charlie Brown’. These were two of Mrs. Clumsy Optimist’s picks and unbelievably she had to break a 50-50 tie. She loves both of these so much, but ultimately went with ‘Meet Your Second Wife’.

(3) Star Wars Undercover Boss: Starkiller Base – 2016 vs (14) Bridesmaid Speech: Domingo – 2024

I think this 3 seed could be a problem for anyone that comes up against it going forward. As it is, the viral hit of the Summer, 14 seed ‘Domingo’, just got outclassed and ‘Star Wars Undercover Boss’ moves on 83-17.

(4) Diner Lobster – 2018 vs (13) The Californians – 2012

I truly do not know how Mrs. Clumsy Optimist would have broken this tie as they are both some of our favorite sketches of the last 15 years. But we’ll never know as the 4 seed ‘Diner Lobster’ sent the 13 seed ‘The Californians’ packing north up the 405, crossed Ventura Boulevard, and then straight out over the ocean by a one vote (!) final of 55-45. “I think you should go home now, Devin!”

(5) Washington’s Dream – 2023 vs (12) Beavis and Butt-Head – 2024

The ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ sketch from last season is one of the funniest things I’ve seen them do in quite some time. However, I have a massive soft spot in my heart for the 5 seed ‘Washington’s Dream’. Another tie! Another tie broken gives us an upset and a butt-ugly Cinderella and sends the 12 seed to the Round of 32!

“I dream that one day, our great nation will have a word for the number 12. We shall call it a dozen,” Washington says.

“And what other numbers will we have a word for?” a soldier asks.

“None,” Washington replies. “Only ’12’ shall have its own word because we are free men, and we will be free to spell some words two different ways.”

“Which ones?”

“Doughnut, and the name ‘Jeff’,” he explains, “the short way with the J and the stupid way with the G.”

(6) Totino’s with Kristen Stewart – 2017 vs (11) Punk Band Reunion at the Wedding – 2010

Good gravy, I could not decide on this one. The 11 seed ‘Punk Band Reunion at the Wedding’ is an all-time favorite. I have both songs the “band” Crisis of Conformity — consisting of Fred Armisen on vocals, Bill Hader on bass, that week’s host Ashton Kutcher on guitar, and musical guest Dave Grohl on drums — released on multiple playlists. This is a great read about how the sketch almost never happened. But the 6 seed ‘Totino’s with Kristen Stewart’ kills me dead every time I watch it. This one ended in our final 50-50 tie of the first round. After much internal debate, Mrs. Clumsy Optimist broke this tie in favor of the 6 seed and Totino’s moves on to the Round of 32.

(7) Black Jeopardy! with Tom Hanks – 2016 vs (10) (Do It On My) Twin Bed – 2013

The twist in the 7 seed ‘Black Jeopardy! with Tom Hanks’ was all too good. While the 10 seed ‘(Do It On My) Twin Bed’ put up a decent fight, the 7 seed was just too strong and moves on to the next round via a 70-30 margin of victory.

(8) Papyrus – 2017 vs (9) Santa Baby – 2015

Our final matchup of the Round of 64 saw two of the great Ryan Gosling taking a silly theme and acting it like it’s life or death sketches go up against each other. Another match that I could not choose on but y’all chose 8 seed Papyrus to move on by a final of 67-33.

Whew. That was a lot. Too wordy? Anyhoo…..

That leaves us with our bracket looking like this (Click to expand. It gets a little crowded):

---

Round of 32

John Belushi Region

(1) Word Association – 1975 vs (9) The Church Lady – 1986

(2) Blues Brothers: Soul Man – 1978 vs (7) The Samurai Futaba – 1975

(3) Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood: Nutrition – 1981 vs (6) The Loud Family – 1978

(5) Two Wild and Crazy Guys – 1978 vs (13) The Olympia Restaurant: Cheeseburger, Chips, and Pepsi – 1978

Phil Hartman Region

(1) Matt Foley: Van Down by the River – 1993 vs (8) The Roxbury Guys – 1996

(2) Celebrity Jeopardy!: French Stewart, Burt Reynolds, & Sean Connery – 1999 vs (7) Spartan Cheerleaders – 1997

(3) Wayne’s World: Aerosmith – 1990 vs (6) Mary Katherine Gallagher – 1995

(4) Bill Swerski’s Super Fans – 1991 vs (5) Chippendales Audition – 1990

Chris Farley Region

(1) More Cowbell – 2000 vs (8) Lazy Sunday – 2005

(2) Debbie Downer: Disney World – 2004 vs (7) What Up With That? – 2009

(3) Colonel Angus Comes Home – 2003 vs (6) Corksoakers – 2004

(5) D*** in a Box – 2006 vs (13) The Love-ahs – 2001

Norm MacDonald Region

(1) Close Encounter – 2015 vs (8) Papyrus – 2017

(2) Meet Your Second Wife – 2015 vs (7) Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks – 2016

(3) Star Wars Undercover Boss: Starkiller Base – 2016 vs (6) Totino’s with Kristen Stewart – 2017

(4) Diner Lobster – 2018 vs (12) Beavis and Butt-Head – 2024

---

Polls are now live and will stay open until 5pm Central time on Wednesday the 26th. We’ve had a few less upsets than most years so far but there are a ton of these high seeds that are facing some massive challenges in the second round. Good luck figuring out how you’re going to vote on this round. I have absolutely no idea what to do on literally at least half of these already! It will be fun to see how this all shakes out!

Alright everybody, let’s get to voting! See you guys on Thursday with our Sweet 16!