When seniors perform funny skits, it's a great way to generate a room full of laughter for members of the cast and audience alike. Whether performed in a nursing home, a senior center, or a family living room at a party, these funny senior skits are sure to garner more than a few laughs.
Examples of Funny Skits for Seniors
Here are two original skits that can be performed by seniors or for them. Since the first is a radio show, actors can use scripts and memorization is not required. The second skit is a little more complex. Use a boom box or sound system to play appropriate music as required.
Wink Winkerman Show
Setting: Radio studio. Scene opens with each character standing or sitting behind a microphone. Scripts can be on music stands in front of actors.
Characters: Wink Winkerman & Bigfoot (can be male or female). Bigfoot is a normal-looking person.
Props: Two microphones.
(Music: Peppy instrumental music - play a few seconds then fade out.)
WINK: Thank you to the Wink Winkerman Orchestra, as always, for showing us that the sound of music and the sound of someone choking a frog can be almost identical. I am Wink Winkerman and this is the Wink Winkerman Show. My guest today is … well, it says here that you claim to be Bigfoot?
BIG: That's right, Wink!
WINK: I see. Well, I must say you don't LOOK like Bigfoot.
BIG: How do you know, Wink? Nobody's ever seen Bigfoot, right?
WINK: There are movies and video tape.
BIG: Right. Of me wearing my Bigfoot costume.
WINK: Wait! Are you saying Bigfoot dresses up like … Bigfoot?
BIG: It's kind of a pain, but otherwise I doubt anyone would be afraid of me. I mean, would YOU be scared of somebody who looked just like everybody else?
WINK: No, I guess not.
BIG: Naturally, I don't wear my Bigfoot costume when I go to work.
WINK: Hang on. Bigfoot has a JOB?
BIG: Of course! I have bills to pay just like everyone else.
WINK: But you're a MONSTER!
BIG: That may be, but when the rent is due, I either pay up or have to go live in the woods.
WINK: I thought you DID live in the woods.
BIG: That was before I got a job.
WINK: OK, I'm not sure I'm buying any of this, but for argument's sake, what exactly do you do for a living, uh, should I call you Mr. Big?
BIG: Sure beats calling me Mr. Foot. I'm actually not sure what I do for a living. I'm a monster. My short-term memory is not very good. I think I'm a pickle sorter in a canning factory.
WINK: A pickle sorter? Really?
BIG: On the other hand, I could be a monkey groomer in a pet store.
WINK: This is really getting strange.
BIG: Or possibly a mattress tester.
WINK: OK, this is officially ridiculous! Look, you've GOT to know what you do for a living!
BIG: Well, let's see … it's a big brick building …
WINK: Go on!
BIG: … with lots of windows …
WINK: Keep going!
BIG: … there are many people in there doing the same thing over and over …
WINK: That sounds like a pickle factory!
BIG: … and there's always a lot of grunting and barking …
WINK: OK, could be a pet store!
BIG: … but most of all, I remember the snoring. On and on it goes, for hours on end.
WINK: I think you may be right. You could very well be a mattress tester.
BIG: No, actually Wink, I just remembered. I'm a member of Congress!
WINK: CONGRESS? But the MINDLESS REPETITION … the ANIMAL NOISES … the SNORING! You know what? Never mind. It makes sense when you think about it.
BIG: Wink, I want to thank you for helping me remember where I work.
WINK: Glad I could be of assistance.
BIG: Although I'm sure going to miss combing those fleas out of Senator Jawbone's moustache!
(Music: Establish then fade under)
WINK: This is Wink Winkerman. Be sure to tune in next time when my guest will be Dewitt Klump, a man who claims to have printed the world's LARGEST miniature bible. Until then, good day.
(Music: Plays while actors take their bows.)
All My Gallstones
Setting: A room with a desk or table and a chair - to simulate a doctor's examining room. The scene opens with Dr. Enstein and Nurse Monella standing. Jack Hammer is sitting. Announcer stands off to one side of stage.
Characters: Announcer, Dr. (Frank) Enstein, Nurse (Sally) Monella, and (Jack) Hammer - a patient
Props: Microphone (for Announcer), stethoscope (for Dr.), and a thermometer (for Nurse)..
(Music: Soap opera/organ music plays then fades out.)
ANNOUNCER: And now, another episode of America's favorite Senior soap opera … ALL … MY … GALLSTONES.
DR: (To Jack) Hello. I'm Doctor Enstein. Dr. Frank Enstein. So, tell me. What seems to be the problem?
JACK: I was kind of hoping you would tell ME.
DR: What I mean is, what's your complaint?
JACK: Oh, well, I have several. (Raises fingers of one hand as if counting.) The next-door neighbor's dog, reality TV shows, Metamucil, people who won't share cough drops. Generally speaking, I hate all that stuff.
DR: I guess I'm not being clear. What brought you here?
JACK: My wife. She's out in the waiting room. Do you want me to go get her?
DR: No! I mean, not right now. Look Mr., uh …
JACK: Hammer.
DR: What's your first name, Mr. Hammer?
JACK: Jack.
DR: Jack Hammer?
JACK: I used to work in construction.
DR: I see. What did you do?
JACK: I operated a jackhammer.
DR: Of course. And you no longer do that?
JACK: No. I had to quit.
DR: Why's that?
JACK: Well, at work I just couldn't stop shaking. (Demonstrates by shaking.)
DR: Running a jackhammer?
JACK: Yeah. Guess I was allergic or something.
DR: Jack, this is Nurse Sally Monella. Nurse Monella would you take Jack's temperature, please?
JACK: (To Dr.) I'd rather she didn't. I'm a little bit chilly as it is.
NURSE: No, Jack, I'm not taking anything, I'm just going to check to see what your temperature is.
JACK: Oh, OK.
NURSE: Now, open your mouth.
JACK: No thanks. I'm not hungry.
NURSE: I'm not feeding you, Jack. I'm just taking your temperature.
JACK: (To Dr.) There she goes with the taking again! Always taking!
NURSE: Checking, Jack. I'm going to check your temperature so Dr. Enstein can figure out what is wrong with you.
JACK: But, there's NOTHING wrong with ME!
DR: What are you doing here, then?
JACK: I just came to be with my wife. She's the one with the appointment.
DR: I don't get it. If your wife had the appointment, why did YOU come into the examination room?
JACK: Examination room? I was looking for the bathroom!
(Music: Soap opera/organ music establishes then fades for announcer)
ANNOUNCER: Tune in next time when Jack Hammer says …
JACK: Dr. Enstein, I think I have a tickle in my throat.
DR: How do you know, Jack?
JACK: Well, I keep wanting to laugh, but so far nothing has been funny.
ANNOUNCER: That's next time … on America's favorite Senior soap opera, ALL … MY … GALLSTONES.
(Music: Soap opera/organ music plays while actors take their bows)
Funny Skits Online
Find funny skits, sketches, and more online. Many of these resources link to comedy scripts that can be performed by or for seniors. Not all sites are specifically for seniors.
Senior Theatre Resource Center Catalog
Senior Theatre Resource Center Catalog leads to a page where you can download the ArtsAge Senior Theatre Resource Center Catalog. The catalog, in PDF form, contains descriptions of the resources available for purchase. Script excerpts are not provided. Skits and sketches are listed on p. 18 of the 32-page catalog. Many are available as e-scripts (for download). Others are available in hard copy only.
Lazy Bee Sketches, Skits and Ten-Minute Plays
Lazy Bee offers several ways to search for scripts on its site including number of characters, run-time, age of participants, and more. All Lazy Bee scripts can be read in full on the Internet - a big advantage to help you decide before paying.
Generic Radio Workshop
Generic Radio Workshop provides links to more than 170 scripts from the Golden Age of Radio, such as Abbott and Costello, Baby Snooks and Daddy, and Burns and Allen. Since these are from actual radio shows, they tend to be up to an hour in length, but sections (between commercial breaks) can serve as skits or sketches.
The Comedy Crowd
Want to write your own skits or sketches? The Comedy Crowd's page on how to write a comedy sketch provides clear steps and advice. Learn about the sketch format, how to arrange your script, and much more.
A Word About Copyright
Many of the scripts found on the websites listed above are protected by copyright. In some cases, you may have to pay a royalty for certain types of public performance. Read the fine print carefully before "putting on a show."
