Patrick Swayze And Chris Farley Make Chippendale Debut In ‘SNL’ Skit
on Sep 29, 2016 • Updated Sep 10, 2019
Hilarious and lovable comedian Chris Farley treated fans to countless laughs since his 1990 Saturday Night Live debut. Farley was most recognized for his hilarious personality, constant energy, and his physical comedy both during his routines and even into his private life. It was no surprise that he instantly became an SNL favorite.
But during a September 1990 show, with just a few shows under his belt, Farley was given a skit with triple-threat dancer, actor, and singer/songwriter Patrick Swayze that helped skyrocket his career and leave fans in tears!
The skit, set to Loverboy’s hit song “Everybody’s Working For The Weekend,” displayed both Swayze and Farley partaking in a rigorous Chippendales dancing audition. A panel of three judges, comprised of Kevin Nealon, Mike Myers, and Jan Hooks, have the task of choosing one dancer. They are torn because both dancers they are about to see are so good, but they only have a budget to hire one of them.
Adrian (Swayze) and and Barney (Farley) walked into the audition wearing a sleeveless dress shirt, cuffs, cumber bun, and tuxedo pants looking very nervous. They are then told they would have to perform once again.
Every time I see a @Chippendales ad in Vegas I think of the @nbcsnl skit with Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze. pic.twitter.com/vNcXkVA2Gn
— Sarah White (@ImSoSarah) September 13, 2018
Their routine gave audience members and viewers a round of laughs with their rather raunchy and hysterical dance off.
Farley & Swayze #GoneButNotForgotten pic.twitter.com/jOP71BGzBd
— Chrundle the Great (@WickedRebel217) October 12, 2016
However, despite the relentless jokes this skit produced, it all shed light on very serious and discriminatory issues faced by those who are ridiculed and identified for their weight and appearance.
The Chippendales Audition is considered one of SNL’s most memorable and iconic skits of the shows 40+ year run. Unfortunately, Farley was tragically found dead in December of 1997 from a drug overdose while Swayze sadly passed away in September of 2008 from a 20-month long battle with Pancreatic cancer. Their untimely deaths left their fans, family, and friends grief-stricken, as now this skit is often watched to remember these vibrant characters whom now live on through their memorable laughs left behind.
