‘Saturday Night Live’ Skit Pokes Fun at Denver with Hilarious Burger Challenge
On the October 5 episode of Saturday Night Live, Denver got a surprising (and messy) shoutout in a skit that took the city’s name to a whole new level. Known for its 300 days of sunshine and high elevation, the Mile High City found itself the setting for an over-the-top eating challenge that had nothing to do with mountain views or sunny days—instead, it was all about burgers.
In the skit, actress Heidi Gardner took on the “Mile High Burger Challenge” at a fictional Denver diner. While a family in the background debated serious matters, Gardner’s character ordered what she assumed was just a tribute to Denver’s name. “I ordered the Mile High Burger, but I just thought it was an ode to Denver, like there would be an egg on it,” she quipped.
But things quickly escalated when the waiter informed her that finishing the 95-ounce burger and jumbo cherry shake in under 10 minutes would earn her a free trip to Hawaii. Gardner dove in, munching the massive burger like corn on the cob, then shoving water-soaked buns into her mouth, making a mess of the entire table. With five minutes left, the challenge intensified as she was told she could no longer use her hands. Gardner was soon covered in milkshake, bits of burger flying everywhere, creating a scene of absolute chaos.
Though Gardner described the burger as an “ode to Denver,” the skit’s challenge had little to do with the city’s actual burger scene—though Denver does host a popular Burger Battle. Instead, it was likely a cheeky nod to the city’s “mile-high” reputation, with a burger stacked so tall, it lived up to its name. While the sketch didn’t show Gardner finishing the challenge, the final punchline revealed her photo on the restaurant’s winner’s wall—right next to her father, who had once tackled the challenge himself.
