In a delightful return to the spotlight, Beldar (played by Dan Aykroyd) and Prymaat (Jane Curtin) have popped up in a new State Farm commercial, although their daughter Connie (Laraine Newman) is notably absent—likely off living her own life. This latest ad is a humorous twist on the classic “State of Unrest” motif, and it’s hard not to chuckle.
Perhaps it’s nostalgia for the early days of Saturday Night Live that makes me find this amusing. The commercial captures all the elements that made the Coneheads sketches memorable: a quintessential suburban backdrop, a quirky play on language, and nods to mass consumption.
In celebration of SNL’s 40th anniversary, I revisited the show’s rich history, diving into original sketches to see if they still held up. I was only 9 when SNL debuted, which was hardly the target audience, but it captured my heart. My brother and I, despite our sibling squabbles, would stay up late to watch it, especially when our favorite guests appeared. (I was a huge fan of Paul Simon even back then!)
As the years passed, I drifted away from the show, particularly when the humor seemed to falter and cast members began to chuckle at their own jokes. However, I found a fresh appreciation for it when I introduced my 11-year-old son to the classic sketches. I figured if I could enjoy it at 9, he could certainly find joy in it at 11.
The moment he laughed uproariously at the line, “You sound like a really attractive guy,” was priceless. My absolute favorite was when he declared “The Wolverines,” the very first sketch aired on SNL, to be utterly hilarious. Whether he’s just incredibly sophisticated or a bit quirky like me (maybe both!), it fills me with joy. Now, he strolls around saying “Cheeburger cheeburger!”, and I couldn’t be prouder. Once he learns about Julia Child, I have another classic waiting for him.
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In summary, the Coneheads’ return in contemporary media proves that their humor is timeless, making them relatable even for the next generation. Sharing these sketches with my son has rekindled my own laughter and brought us closer together.