Before Saturday Night Live turned into a cesspool of left wing identity politics, it actually used to have funny sketches, yes really! Here is one of Saturday Night Live’s most memorable sketches, "Close Encounter," which had viewers in stitches with its bizarre take on alien abduction. The sketch, which aired in 2015, starred Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, and Ryan Gosling. It quickly became a fan favourite thanks to its absurd humour and the cast’s struggle to keep a straight face.
The scene featured three abductees recounting their experiences to government agents. While two described peaceful, almost enlightening encounters, McKinnon’s character, Colleen Rafferty, told a much stranger and more uncomfortable story. Her gritty, awkward retelling, involving embarrassing indignities and harsh treatment from the aliens, contrasted sharply with the others' serene descriptions.
Ryan Gosling famously broke character, struggling to hold back laughter as McKinnon delivered her lines with deadpan precision. The sketch’s success led to multiple follow-ups featuring Colleen’s continued misfortunes with extraterrestrial life. "Close Encounter" became a standout SNL moment, proving how contagious genuine laughter could be.
