If you were watching TV on the night of October 13, 2001, you probably saw something that wasn't supposed to happen. It involved a lukewarm hot tub, a lot of spiced meat, and four actors who completely lost their minds on live television. This was the night of "The Love-ahs," featuring Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch as Roger and Virginia Clarvin.
It’s easily the most famous Will Ferrell Saturday Night Live hot tub moment, though technically, he had a few. Who could forget the James Brown "Celebrity Hot Tub Party"? But the Clarvins? They were different. They were professors. They were over-educated. And they were, frankly, disgusting.
Who Exactly Were the Clarvins?
Roger and Virginia Clarvin weren't just random weirdos. They were a recurring bit that focused on a couple of pretentious academics who had zero boundaries when it came to their "love-making." They spoke in these bizarre, soft-spoken mid-Atlantic accents and used words like "lovers" (pronounced luv-ahs) far more than any human should.
In this specific sketch, they are lounging in the hot tub at the Welshly Arms Hotel. They’re joined by Dave (Jimmy Fallon) and Barbara Hernandez (guest host Drew Barrymore).
The premise is simple: Dave just wants to relax. Instead, he gets trapped in a small pool of water with two people who want to describe their intimacy in excruciating, poetic detail.
The Moment Everything Fell Apart
Honestly, the script was funny on its own. But what made this sketch legendary was the "breaking." Jimmy Fallon was already known for giggling during sketches, but this was next level.
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Will Ferrell decided to make it his personal mission to destroy his co-stars. Under the water—where the cameras couldn't see—Ferrell was reportedly rubbing Fallon’s leg and poking him. You can actually see the moment it hits. Fallon starts shaking. He tries to bury his face in his hands. He’s gone.
Then it spreads.
Drew Barrymore starts to lose it. Even Rachel Dratch, who was usually a rock in these sketches, begins to crack when she has to talk about the hotel's "renowned shanks." By the time Ferrell starts talking about his back acting up, the entire cast is basically weeping with laughter.
Why the Writers (and Lorne) Weren't Happy
You’d think a hilarious moment like that would be celebrated behind the scenes. Nope. Not exactly.
Jimmy Fallon has since admitted on The Tonight Show that he got in serious trouble for this one. Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL, famously dislikes it when actors break character. He thinks it’s unprofessional. The writers, James Anderson and Kent Sublette, weren't thrilled either. When actors laugh through the lines, the jokes they spent all week writing get lost in the noise.
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But for the audience? It was gold. It felt real. It felt like watching four friends get the giggles at a sleepover, except they were in front of millions of people.
Beyond the Welshly Arms
While the Drew Barrymore episode is the one everyone shares on YouTube, the "Love-ahs" appeared a few other times.
- The First Time: They actually debuted in Season 26 with Katie Holmes.
- The Christopher Walken Episode: They tried to "matchmake" for Walken, which is about as surreal as it sounds.
- The Bear Claw Lodge: They eventually moved out of the hot tub and into a hotel lobby, but the vibe remained the same.
Ferrell’s ability to stay dead-serious while saying the most repulsive things is what made it work. He never broke. While Fallon was falling apart, Ferrell just kept pushing, leaning into the discomfort until the room exploded.
The Legacy of the Hot Tub
Decades later, the Will Ferrell Saturday Night Live hot tub sketch is still a staple of SNL clip shows. It represents a specific era of the show where the cast was incredibly tight-knit.
It also highlights the "Ferrell Effect." Will Ferrell has this rare ability to be the funniest person in the room while being the only one not laughing. He creates a vacuum of absurdity that eventually sucks everyone else in.
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If you want to revisit the magic, look for the "50 Seasons in 50 Days" retrospective. NBC recently picked this specific sketch to represent Season 27. It turns out that even if the writers were annoyed in 2001, they eventually realized they had a classic on their hands.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re going to go back and watch the clip, keep your eyes on Ferrell’s face. He’s the anchor. While everyone else is a mess, he stays in that weird, hushed Roger Clarvin voice.
Also, pay attention to the props. The "spiced meats" in the igloo cooler are a disgusting touch that really rounds out the character.
Next Steps for SNL Fans:
- Check out the "James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party" for a completely different Ferrell hot tub vibe.
- Watch the 2019 interview between Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon where they finally talk about what was happening under the water.
- Look for the Welshly Arms recurring sketches to see how the "Love-ahs" evolved over their short but impactful run.
There’s no "hidden meaning" here. It’s just pure, silly, uncomfortable comedy that reminded everyone why live TV is so unpredictable.