On SNL’s new series “The Rundown,” Colin Jost definitively named the 2008 cold open featuring Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler’s Katie Couric as the show’s greatest, praising its nostalgic value and masterful comedic execution that still defines political satire.
After 51 seasons of groundbreaking comedy, Saturday Night Live has produced countless iconic cold opens. But now, one of the show’s most seasoned veterans has made a choice that carries immense weight. Colin Jost, the “Weekend Update” anchor with 12 years at SNL, revealed his pick for the best cold open in history during the inaugural episode of SNL’s new short-form series The Rundown. His selection? The 2008 sketch that pitted Tina Fey‘s razor-sharp Sarah Palin against Amy Poehler‘s steadfast Katie Couric—a five-minute piece of political satire that transcended comedy to become a cultural touchstone.
The sketch in question opened season 34, episode three, hosted by Anna Faris. It features nothing more than a single, exquisitely crafted conversation between Couric and Palin, yet it resonates with immense power. Fey’s Palin, with her spot-on mannerisms and cadence, delivered lines that instantly entered the national lexicon, while Poehler’s Couric served as the perfect straight man, highlighting the absurdity of the real-life interview that had already captivated the 2008 presidential campaign.
Jost’s reasoning blends professional admiration with personal history. “It’s nostalgic for me, because it was early on for me as a writer,” he explained on The Rundown. “It was just a great combination of Seth Meyers and Tina and Amy together—you got to see them playing off each other. I think they’re two of the best to ever do it.” Meyers wrote the sketch, with likely contributions from Fey and Poehler, creating a perfect storm of talent at the peak of their powers. Jost added, “There were so many iconic things that came out of it. So to me, that’s my pick, based on both nostalgia, and I think it holds up in the whole history of the show as one of the best.”
The sketch’s legacy is cemented by critical acclaim. Entertainment Weekly has repeatedly ranked it among SNL‘s all-time greatest, including it in major lists of the show’s best sketches [1] [2]. This recognition underscores how the cold open did more than mock a political figure—it shaped public discourse during a charged election. Fey’s Palin became so iconic that she reprised the role throughout the campaign, most notably in the season 34 opener “Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton Address the Nation,” which also earned EW plaudits.
Jost’s deliberation highlights the evolution of SNL’s cold opens. As a writer who helped craft many himself, he sifted through decades of formats, from elaborate productions to minimalist gems. His runner-ups reveal a deep appreciation for the show’s roots: he cited the 1991 Steve Martin musical number “Not Going to Phone It in Tonight” and the 1975 series premiere cold open “Wolverines,” featuring Michael O’Donoghue and John Belushi. “I always wished we could go back to that more,” Jost reflected, expressing a desire for cold opens that are “just short and one idea and a funny performance.” This tension between scale and simplicity continues to define SNL’s creative choices.
The timing of Jost’s revelation is poignant. SNL is currently in its 51st season but paused this weekend for the premiere of its new U.K. spinoff, hosted by Tina Fey. This moment bridges generations of talent, from Belushi and O’Donoghue to Fey, Poehler, Meyers, and now Jost. It also invites fans to reconsider what makes a cold open timeless: is it cultural relevance, comedic precision, or the alchemy of its performers? Jost’s pick suggests it’s all three.
For fans and historians alike, the 2008 Palin-Couric sketch represents a high watermark—a cold open that didn’t just open the show but opened a national conversation. Its selection by Jost, a key architect of SNL’s modern era, validates its enduring power while sparking new debates about the show’s greatest hits. As SNL continues to shape comedy, this sketch remains a masterclass in how a few minutes of television can capture an era.
For more authoritative breakdowns of entertainment news and exclusive insights, continue exploring onlytrustedinfo.com, where we deliver the fastest, most reliable analysis you can trust.
