Robert Goulet was the definition of "old school" cool. He had the baritone, the tuxedo, and that mustache. But if you grew up in the late 90s or early 2000s, there’s a good chance your primary association with the Broadway legend wasn’t Camelot. It was Will Ferrell as Robert Goulet on Saturday Night Live, stumbling through a rap medley or trying to sell you a "Goulet Ringtone."
It was weird. It was loud. It was arguably one of the most transformative impressions in the history of the show because it didn’t really care about being accurate. It cared about being Goulet-adjacent.
The Birth of the "Goulet-verse"
Ferrell’s take on Goulet didn’t start with a nuanced character study. Honestly, it started with the absurd premise that a 1960s crooner would be the perfect vessel for modern hip-hop lyrics.
The first time most of us saw it was in the legendary sketch "The Coconut Bangers Ball: It’s a Rap!" that aired in November 2000. Ferrell, decked out in a sharp suit and a questionable wig, stood in a fake recording studio and belt-sang Sisqo’s "Thong Song" and Big Poppa by The Notorious B.I.G.
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"I’m a lyrical wordsmith," Ferrell-as-Goulet proclaimed in that booming, self-serious tone.
The joke wasn’t just the contrast between the music genres. It was the unwavering confidence. Ferrell played Goulet as a man who was perpetually twenty years behind the times but 100% convinced he was the coolest person in the room. He didn't just sing the songs; he Gouleted them.
"Goulet!" – The Catchphrase That Wasn't a Catchphrase
One of the funniest things about this impression is how Will Ferrell would just shout the name "Goulet!" at random intervals.
In reality, Robert Goulet probably didn't walk around shouting his own last name to punctuate sentences. But in the SNL universe, it became a verbal exclamation point. It was a way to fill the silence, a way to assert dominance, or sometimes just a reflex.
This reached its peak during Ferrell’s appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in 2002. He stayed in character for the entire interview, consistently calling Conan "Carson" and reminiscing about "dames" in the green room. It was performance art. He wasn't just doing a bit; he was inhabiting a version of a human being that only existed in his own head.
The Brothers and the "Red Ships of Spain"
If you want to see how far they pushed the "Goulet-verse," you have to look at the "Red Ships of Spain" sketch from 2001.
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Alec Baldwin and Chris Parnell played Robert’s brothers, Ken and Wes Goulet. They were all in a terrible musical together. The plot involved Robert trying to romancing his own daughter (played by Ana Gasteyer). It was chaotic. It was arguably one of the most "theatrical" sketches Ferrell ever did, leaning into the pomp and circumstance of old Broadway while making it incredibly uncomfortable.
Critics in the sketch described the play as "the only time the audience applauded was when I whipped a battery at the actors." That’s the level of failure Ferrell’s Goulet lived in—and he loved every second of it.
Did the Real Robert Goulet Hate It?
Usually, when a comedian shreds a celebrity for seven years, the celebrity gets a little prickly. But Robert Goulet was surprisingly a good sport.
He actually loved the attention. Goulet was an old-school entertainer who understood that being parodied by the biggest star on SNL meant you were still relevant. He even leaned into it himself in his later years, doing self-parody in commercials for ESPN and appearing in The Simpsons.
His wife, Vera Novak, was a bit more protective of his legacy later on, but the man himself seemed to enjoy the ride. He knew he was a "type"—the quintessential lounge singer— and Ferrell just amplified that type to an eleven.
Why It Still Matters (and Why It’s Hard to Find)
You don't see many impressions like this anymore. Today, SNL impressions are often political or based on very specific TikTok trends. They’re "accurate."
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Will Ferrell as Robert Goulet wasn't accurate. It was a vibe. It was about the energy of a man who refused to admit the 1960s were over.
- The Commitment: Ferrell never blinked. Even when he was singing about "poppin' bottles" in a tuxedo, he played it straight.
- The Voice: He captured that specific chest-voice resonance that made you feel like you were in a Vegas showroom in 1974.
- The Absurdity: It taught a whole generation of comedy writers that you don't need a "reason" to do a character. If it's funny, it's funny.
How to Watch It Now
Because of music licensing issues (thanks, Sisqo and Biggie), some of these sketches are hard to find on official streaming platforms like Peacock in their original form. However, "The Best of Will Ferrell" DVD and various SNL anniversary specials usually keep the Goulet highlights alive.
If you’re looking to dive back into the Goulet-verse, start with the Conan interview from 2002. It’s the rawest version of the character. No script, just Ferrell reacting to a very confused (and delighted) Conan O'Brien.
Your Goulet Action Plan
If you're a fan of character comedy or just want to understand why your older millenial friends keep shouting "GOULET!" at parties, here's what you should do:
- Search for the Conan Interview: It’s often cited by comedy nerds as one of the best "in-character" late-night segments ever.
- Watch "Red Ships of Spain": Look for the chemistry between Ferrell and Alec Baldwin. They play off each other’s "stage presence" perfectly.
- Appreciate the Real Robert Goulet: Go listen to "If Ever I Would Leave You." The man actually had an incredible voice. Ferrell’s parody works so well because there was a real foundation of talent to mock.
The beauty of Ferrell’s career is his ability to take a niche reference and turn it into a cultural touchstone. He did it with Harry Caray, he did it with James Lipton, and he arguably did it best with Robert Goulet. It’s a masterclass in "committing to the bit."
Next time you're feeling a little too modern, just put on a blazer, grab a ginger ale (or a "scotch" props-wise), and shout your own name. It worked for Will.
Ready to explore more SNL history? Check out our deep dives into the "Spartan Cheerleaders" or the evolution of the "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketches.