It was November 2008. The world was obsessed with a black-and-white music video featuring three women in high-cut leotards doing a dance move that would eventually break the internet before "breaking the internet" was even a term. We’re talking about Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). But while the song was a global juggernaut, the most legendary moment of that era didn't actually happen in a music video. It happened on a soundstage in Midtown Manhattan.
If you were watching Saturday Night Live on November 15, 2008, you saw something truly bizarre. You saw Justin Timberlake and Beyonce SNL gold. You saw three men—Justin Timberlake, Andy Samberg, and Bobby Moynihan—squeezed into skin-tight black leotards, tights, and heels, gyrating next to the most polished performer on the planet.
But here’s the thing: that sketch almost never happened.
Why Beyonce almost said no
Most people assume that because Beyonce is a pro, she just rolls with whatever SNL throws at her. Not quite. According to recent details shared in the documentary Ladies & Gentlemen: 50 Years of SNL Music, Queen Bey was actually "not having it" at first.
Justin Timberlake wasn't even supposed to be there that week. He wasn't the host—Paul Rudd was. He wasn't the musical guest—Beyonce was. But Andy Samberg sent JT a text. Bobby Moynihan had come up with this wild idea of being Beyonce’s backup dancers. Samberg knew they needed a third person with some real star power to make the pitch land.
✨ Don't miss: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
When they initially approached Beyonce, she was hesitant. It makes sense. She’s a perfectionist. Her brand is built on being "flawless," and here are three guys wanting to turn her most iconic choreography into a joke. Timberlake recently recalled that she was incredibly polite, but she was basically shutting it down. She didn't see the vision.
The leotard that changed everything
How do you convince the most powerful woman in music to look ridiculous on live TV? You go first.
Justin Timberlake decided to skip the talking and go straight to the visual. He put on the full outfit—the leotard, the hose, the heels. He threw a robe over it, walked to Beyonce’s dressing room, and knocked. When she opened the door, he dropped the robe, stood there in a leotard with his hands on his hips, and basically dared her to say no.
"No you didn't!" she reportedly laughed. That was the icebreaker. Once she saw that a fellow A-lister was willing to look that absurd, the wall came down.
🔗 Read more: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
What went down in the sketch
The sketch itself is a masterclass in deadpan comedy. Paul Rudd plays the video director who has replaced Beyonce's usual dancers with "pros" he hand-picked. Then, the trio enters.
- Bobby Moynihan claiming they are "warmed up like biscuits."
- Justin Timberlake adding that they are "dance biscuits."
- Andy Samberg just being... Andy Samberg.
They start the routine, and it’s chaos. They are slapping their hips, doing the "Single Ladies" hand flick with aggressive intensity, and getting way too close to Beyonce. The comedy works because Beyonce plays it completely straight. She looks confused, slightly horrified, and eventually resigned to the fact that these three guys are her new troupe.
The "Dance Biscuits" legacy
Why does this still matter in 2026? Because it was a turning point for how superstars handled their image. Before this, Beyonce was seen as somewhat untouchable—perfect, distant, serious. This sketch proved she could poke fun at her own massive success.
It also cemented Justin Timberlake's status as the unofficial "sixth man" of SNL. Even when he wasn't hosting, he was willing to show up and wear a leotard just for a laugh. It’s that era of the late 2000s where SNL felt like a playground for the biggest celebrities in the world.
💡 You might also like: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
There's a reason you can't easily find this sketch on YouTube today. Music licensing for Saturday Night Live is a nightmare. Because "Single Ladies" is a licensed track, NBC often has to pull these clips down after a few years or risk massive payouts. It’s one of those "you had to be there" moments that lives on primarily through low-quality mirrors and the memories of people who stayed up late that Saturday.
The technical side of the comedy
If you watch the footage closely, you'll notice the choreography isn't actually "bad." Timberlake, being a trained dancer, actually hits the marks. The humor comes from the contrast between his technical ability and the sheer ridiculousness of the outfit. Moynihan and Samberg, meanwhile, are leaning into the struggle.
The sketch ends with the reveal that the three dancers are actually Paul Rudd's stepsons that his wife forced him to bring to work. It’s a classic SNL "button" that wraps up the absurdity.
Actionable insights for SNL fans
If you’re trying to track down the full Justin Timberlake and Beyonce SNL experience, here is how to navigate the current digital landscape:
- Check Peacock first: As of 2026, the Ladies & Gentlemen: 50 Years of SNL Music documentary is the best place to see high-quality behind-the-scenes footage and parts of the sketch.
- Physical Media: Season 34 isn't widely available on DVD in full, but certain "Best Of" compilations for Justin Timberlake or the 2000s era sometimes include the clip.
- Social Media Archives: TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) users often post "anniversary" clips every November. Search for the date November 15, 2008, to find the most active threads.
The "Single Ladies" sketch wasn't just a parody; it was a cultural collision. It took the biggest song of the year and the biggest stars of the decade and turned them into "dance biscuits." It's proof that sometimes, the best way to handle fame is to put on a pair of tights and start dancing.