History of Punk - SNL

A look back at the British punk band Ian Rubbish and the Bizzaros (Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Taran Killam) shows how the band parted ways over the lead singer's stance on British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. [Season 38, 2013]


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[curtisebear]

The way Armisen says “Be De-cent” is such an important part of Johnny rotten’s speech pattern. Nice little touch.

[LRS]

The level of attention to detail in this sketch is awesome.

[snookslayer]

"I wanna kiss your iron fist. You crushed the Argentinians. You killed a few - they won't be missed. Let's go for a drive." Greatest lyric ever.

[ianwilson]

As an Englishman I have to say this is a genius parody. I love snl when it's good and this is perfect

[keithkoenig]

Even more proof that Fred Armisen is a flat-out genius. This bit is hilarious and Fred's obvious love of Punk shines through.

[brittaistheworst]

watching season 4 of The Crown and every time Maggie Thatcher is shown struggling I remember that at least Ian had her back

[UberLummox]

When he said "Bee deecent" was the best John Lydon impression ever!

[alexchapman]

I can’t believe Americans nailed this so perfectly. There are tiny references you would think too subtle for someone without first hand experience to get.
Very well done.

[rdcloutier]

Something I love about this skit is knowing Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols moved to California, started going by the name John Lydon and became a land developer. This is one of SNL's best ever skits.

[nygiants]

The most acurite part was that the drummer didn’t show up to any interviews

[JeromekJerome]

As a Brit who feels like he has lived through punk a million times due to the endless documentaries (like this one), this is actually really good! Referencing Dingwalls and the South Bank Show. Half of the original punks ended up as bloody Tories anyway so the Thatcher love is spot on

[brandiwithanIRN]

Honestly I want a full version of “Sweet Iron Lady” What a bop.

[thegamedudeguy]

this sketch was made for one man, and you can hear him laughing the entire time.

[buckycore]

I wish they made an entire Spinal Tap length version of this

[Amadeus-mslt]

As someone born and raised in England, SNL nailed the accents! Incredible consistency not to mention a great sketch about punk.

[p.s.]

this has fred armisen written all over it

[Betelqeuze]

This is an absolutely flawless sketch, very clever and brilliantly executed! Their take on late 1970s punk rock is spot on and they clearly know their references. (I'm assuming Fred wrote this one?)

[franciscuscrouse]

This is one of the sharpest sketches that SNL has done over the last two decades.

[musicalbacon]

this is just unironically a biography of morrissey now

[kloggmonkey]

not only are they nailing the pistols' infamous interview with bill grundy but fred also manages to channel joe strummer's vocals when singing. just brilliant!