Spirit Halloween SlamsSNL's Season Premiere Sketch Mocking the Chain: 'Irrelevant 50-Year-Old TV Show'

Mar. 15, 2025

Spirit Halloween Saturday Night Live Sketch on September 28 2024.Photo:NBC

NBC

Spirit Halloween had a scary good response toSaturday Night Live’s parody of the chain.

During theseason 50 premiereofSaturday Night Liveon Sept. 28, the long-running sketch comedy show poked fun at Spirit Halloween and its ephemeral nature. The tongue-in-cheek skit appears to be an uplifting commercial, painting the retailer as a business to turn around “dead-end” communities and joking about its products.

The “costume” included  “dated references,” “unknown cast members,” and “shrinking ratings.”

“And thanks to us, what used to be a condemned AutoZone where a murder happened is once again a thriving business… where a murder happened.”

The sketch show also poked fun at the products that customers could purchase, including “wigs that give you a rash, single-use fog machines, and costumes of famous characters tweaked just enough to avoid a lawsuit.”

At one point, a young customer asks for aTaylor Swiftcostume and receives one labeled “blonde singing woman.” Close enough!

Facade of seasonal Halloween decor store Spirit Halloween at a shopping center in Dublin, California, August 23, 2018.Smith Collection/Gado/Getty

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty

The retailer has been around since 1983 according toBusiness Insider, and remains a staple for people gearing up for the spooky holiday with costumes and decorations — even if for only several weeks.

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Themilestone 50th season ofSaturday Night Livekicked off withHacksstarJean Smarthosting andJelly Rollappearing as the musical guest.

Other hosts announced for the season areNate Bargatze,Ariana Grande,Michael KeatonandJohn Mulaney. Joining them will beColdplay,Stevie Nicks,Billie EilishandChappell Roan, respectively.

Saturday Night Liveairs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and can be streamed on Peacock on Hulu the next day.

source: people.com