SNLwriter Robert Smigel defends Chris Farley Chippendales sketch: He was 'explosively funny'

Looking back, Smigel calls the Saturday Night Live sketch “very empowering.”

The debate overSaturday Night Live’sChris FarleyandPatrick SwayzeChippendales sketchand whether it was harmfulcontinues.

“It’s a great sketch.

I was in a debate about it with some people.

“He was an athlete, and he danced incredibly well in that sketch, actually.

And he had this fantastic energy.

And like, in a way, it was like a very empowering sketch.

Asked if Farley was the highlight of the bunch, Smigel said he couldn’t compare the castmates.

“He was the most explosively funny person.

I think most people who were at that time would agree with that,” Smigel said.

Stern called it the funniest one he ever saw Farley tackle but noted Rock had an issue with it.

“Here’s the thing: The sketch is funny.

I’m not going to say Farley dancing as a Chippendales dancer isn’t funny.

TheFargoalum said that his friend, who died in 1997, had insecurities.

“He felt ugly, he didn’t feel attractive.