It’s late. You’re scrolling. Suddenly, a clip of a man in a feathered blonde wig, looking suspiciously like a 1970s Stevie Nicks, starts aggressively "art-dancing" to "The Chain."
That’s the SNL Paul Rudd Fleetwood Mac skit.
Specifically, it’s the "What Up With That?" sketch from May 11, 2013. If you’ve seen it once, the image of Paul Rudd doing a rhythmic, high-kicking shuffle while Kenan Thompson belts out a soul-funk theme song is likely burned into your retinas. It’s a masterpiece of physical comedy that somehow perfectly captures the chaotic energy of early 2010s Saturday Night Live.
Why does it matter a decade later? Honestly, because it’s a perfect storm. You have the ageless Paul Rudd—a man who seems physically incapable of being unfunny—committing 100% to a bit where he doesn't say a single word. Then you have the musical legacy of Fleetwood Mac, a band whose interpersonal drama is so legendary it practically demands parody.
The Weird Genius of "What Up With That?"
To understand why the SNL Paul Rudd Fleetwood Mac skit works, you have to look at the structure of "What Up With That?" It’s one of the most repetitive, formulaic, and brilliant recurring sketches in the show’s history.
Kenan Thompson plays Diondre Cole, a talk show host who is constantly sidetracked by his own theme song. He has guests—real celebrities playing themselves—who sit there looking increasingly bewildered as they realize they’re never going to get to speak.
In the 2013 season finale, the guest lineup was a fever dream in itself: Bill Hader as Lindsey Buckingham (who never speaks), the real Bill Hader, and Paul Rudd.
But Rudd wasn't playing himself. He was playing a backup dancer/Stevie Nicks hybrid.
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He didn't need lines. He just needed those boots.
The humor comes from the sheer commitment. Rudd isn't just "dancing." He’s performing a sequence of interpretive movements that feel like they were choreographed in a fever. He’s got the shawl. He’s got the intensity. He’s got the weirdly synchronized leg kicks. It’s a tribute to the "Rumours" era of the band, but filtered through a lens of pure, unadulterated silliness.
Breaking Down the Fleetwood Mac Connection
Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate "vibe" band. Even people who don't know their history know the feeling of their music. It's ethereal. It's dramatic. It's full of flowing fabrics and heavy eyeliner.
When SNL decided to lean into the Fleetwood Mac aesthetic for this specific iteration of the sketch, they tapped into a very specific cultural nostalgia. Bill Hader’s recurring portrayal of Lindsey Buckingham is a staple of these sketches. Hader plays him as a mute, smiling, slightly menacing figure who just wants to play his guitar.
Adding Rudd to that mix was like adding gasoline to a fire.
Why Paul Rudd was the perfect choice
Rudd has this "everyman" quality that makes his weirdness even more jarring. When he starts doing those aggressive, rhythmic points toward the camera, it’s funny because it’s Paul Rudd. If it were a random extra, it wouldn't land.
He treats the SNL Paul Rudd Fleetwood Mac skit with the gravity of a Shakespearean monologue. Watch his face during the "The Chain" segment. He isn't winking at the camera. He’s in the zone. He is, for three minutes, the most dedicated member of a fake soft-rock tribute band.
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The Viral Longevity of the Skit
TikTok and Instagram Reels have given this sketch a second (and third) life.
It’s the ultimate reaction video. Whenever someone is over-excited or a situation is escalating into chaos, people post the clip of Rudd kicking his legs. It’s short-form gold.
In an era of comedy that often feels over-scripted or hyper-political, there’s something deeply refreshing about a grown man in a wig just... moving. It’s physical comedy in its purest form. It reminds us of the Carol Burnett era or the early days of Vaudeville, where a funny walk or a specific gesture was enough to bring the house down.
The Bill Hader Factor
We can't talk about this without mentioning Bill Hader. His Lindsey Buckingham is the "straight man" who also happens to be a caricature. The interplay between Rudd’s kinetic energy and Hader’s stationary, wide-eyed grin creates a visual tension that is peak SNL.
Fans often point out that the best part of these sketches is watching the actors try not to "break." While Rudd stays remarkably composed, you can see the edges of the set—the camera crew, the other guests—struggling to keep it together.
Behind the Scenes: How It Happened
SNL writers often talk about "12:50 sketches"—the ones that are so weird they only get aired at the very end of the night. "What Up With That?" started with that energy but became a tentpole.
The decision to put Rudd in the Fleetwood Mac gear wasn't just a random costume choice. It was a nod to the band’s massive resurgence in the early 2010s. Fleetwood Mac was touring. They were being discovered by a new generation. SNL took that cultural moment and made it absurd.
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Fred Armisen’s saxophone solo in the background? Just another layer of the chaotic onion.
What This Says About Paul Rudd’s Career
Paul Rudd is a superstar who doesn't act like one. He’s the guy from Ant-Man and Clueless, but he’s also the guy who will show up on a late-night show and play the same "Mac and Me" clip for 20 years.
The SNL Paul Rudd Fleetwood Mac skit is an extension of that "Mac and Me" energy. It’s a bit. He loves bits. He loves the commitment to the joke more than he loves looking "cool."
That’s why he’s a five-time SNL host. He understands the assignment. The assignment is: make it weird, make it fast, and don't blink.
How to Find the Best Version of the Sketch
If you're looking to rewatch it, don't just search for "Paul Rudd dancing." You need the full context.
- Go to the official Saturday Night Live YouTube channel.
- Search for "What Up With That? Paul Rudd."
- Look for the thumbnail where he’s wearing the blonde wig and the vest.
- Watch the 2013 season finale version (Episode 21 of Season 38).
Actionable Steps for SNL Fans
If you’re a fan of this specific brand of comedy, there are a few things you should do to dive deeper into this era of the show:
- Watch the Bill Hader "Lindsey Buckingham" Compilation: It’s a masterclass in facial acting without dialogue.
- Track the Evolution of "What Up With That?": See how it went from a weird experimental sketch to a celebrity-packed powerhouse.
- Check out Paul Rudd’s other SNL cameos: He often shows up in "Family Feud" sketches or as himself in monologues, always bringing that same "game for anything" spirit.
- Listen to "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac: Once you’ve seen the skit, you will never be able to hear that bass breakdown without imagining Paul Rudd’s high-kicks.
The SNL Paul Rudd Fleetwood Mac skit isn't just a joke; it’s a cultural touchstone for people who love the intersection of classic rock and absurd comedy. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to handle a legendary song is to put on a wig and dance like nobody—or everyone—is watching.