Sprockets (Saturday Night Live)

Sprockets was a recurring sketch on the American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show Saturday Night Live. Created by Mike Myers, the sketch featured Myers as Dieter, a German talk show host with a severe, minimalist style and an obsession with German culture, particularly technology, music, and fashion.

Dieter's talk show, also called "Sprockets," usually involved him interviewing celebrities or experts, whom he would relentlessly critique for their perceived lack of artistic vision or their overly commercial nature. He would often express his opinions with blunt pronouncements and repetitive phrases, such as "Touch my monkey!" and "Now is the time on Sprockets when we dance!"

The humor of Sprockets derived from the clash between Dieter's pretentious artistic sensibilities and the mainstream culture he was forced to interact with. The sketch frequently satirized the perceived self-importance and intellectual snobbery associated with certain segments of the art world. The minimalist set design, complete with stark lighting and geometric shapes, contributed to the overall comedic effect. The segment proved highly popular with audiences, and the character of Dieter became one of Mike Myers' most recognizable and enduring creations from his time on Saturday Night Live. Recurring elements included Dieter's discomfort with subjects like relationships and children, usually leading to awkward and dismissive responses.