Matt Foley: Van Down By The River - SNL

After their cleaning lady finds pot in the house, parents (Phil Hartman, Julia Sweeney) hire motivational speaker Matt Foley (Chris Farley) to talk to their teens (David Spade, Christina Applegate) about drugs and their future. Aired 05/08/93

#SNL

[CynicalBastard]

1993: "Living in a van down by the river? What a loser!"
2023: "Living in a van down by the river? Not a bad idea."

[chrissweeney]

Fun fact, Chris Farley intentionally did not tell the other actors that the table was breakable. So those were their true reactions

[PaisleySundance]

Whenever I rewatch this sketch, I'm reminded that the people in the audience are hearing lines like "...in a van down by the river" for the first time, not knowing that the scene will become iconic. I can't even imagine the standing ovation Chris would get if he were here to reprise this character today. RIP Mr. Farley.

[justincrowley]

Phil's ability to remain stone faced serious in ridiculous scenarios is just one of many reasons I love and miss him.

[GSCSTRYDER]

I love how, because Spade and Farley were friends, Farley would focus his rants on Spade more than anyone else just to have him break character, it's hysterical

[larshetfield]

Fun Fact: Bob Odenkirk (Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill from Breaking Bad & Btter Call Saul) wrote this sketch. He even said that this was the pinnacle of his entire career

[Pepper]

Christina said recently on Spade's podcast that in rehearsal Chris didn't act anywhere near the way he did in the live skit. She said she couldn't believe what she was watching, said Chris was over the top hysterical, which is why she and Spade couldn't stop laughing.

[Usercm]

"You'll have plenty of time livin' in a van down by the river when... YOU'RE LIVING IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!!"🤣🤪

[zachfleming]

Quick Story: When I was maybe 10 or 11, I went with my siblings and mom to McDonalds for lunch (in Toronto). We were sitting on the outside patio and a stretch limo pulls up. Who gets out but our man Chris Farley and a few body guards. Well everyone went absolutely mental and my friend's mom who was there asked him to do "Down by the River". As cringe-worthy as that seems now, Chris didn't hesitate and proceeded to perform the skit at a random ass McDonalds in Toronto. The entire place erupted in laughter and happy tears.

I'm now 35 and married, but that was the greatest day of my life.... don't tell my wife.

[jamesyork]

“I want to live in a van down by the river”

A joke in 1993, an actual goal in 2019.

[finchkid]

“Hey, Dad, I can’t see real good. Is that Bill Shakespeare over there?” is the funniest line from this whole sketch. Every time I hear it, I am almost on the floor.

[anngold]

Is anybody watching this in 2024? This still makes me laugh 40 years later!! 😂❤

[JGComments]

Bob Odenkirk wrote this! He originally wrote it for himself, but realized Chris would take it to another level. Mark of greatness.

[justusrivard]

He doesn’t live in a van down by the river. He lives in our hearts. RIP Chris.

[emhutchi]

If anybody is from Chicagoland, Bob Odenkirk who wrote this sketch is from Naperville. The "river" the van is down by was inspired by the Naperville River walk.

[PatricksCrazyPlace]

My favorite part of this skit is watching David Spade and Christina Applegate desperately try to keep it together.

[eshim]

I don't know what's funnier, watching Chris Farley or watching David Spade desperately trying to hold it together watching Chris Farley.

[stoops]

4:00 Christina Applegate's transition from just another human being enjoying Chris Farley to a "surly teenage daughter character" in about a quarter-second is absolutely amazing, what a pro. That smirk and eye roll are spot-on

[NPCSingularity]

I’m always convinced that if Phil had lived he would have ended up as Walter White in Breaking Bad. The guys was phenomenal. These were the best days of SNL.

[Flip-a-dip-dip]

When a skit is so legendary, you’re still seeing fresh comments roll in.