In the world of television memorabilia, few shows have had the cultural impact—or the staying power—of Saturday Night Live. Since 1975, the sketch comedy giant has not only launched the careers of dozens of comedic legends, it’s also left behind an archive of iconic props, catchphrases, and inside jokes that live on for generations. One of the strangest and most beloved relics from SNL’s golden years? A humble cereal box labeled Super Colon Blow.
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like.
Fiber, Phil Hartman, and the Art of the Parody
Back in November 11, 1989, SNL aired a parody commercial that perfectly captured its signature brand of over-the-top, straight-faced absurdity. The sketch starred the late, great Phil Hartman as a man just trying to get more fiber in his diet. The solution? A new high-fiber cereal called Colon Blow.
“How many bowls of your cereal would it take to equal the fiber content of one bowl of Colon Blow?”
The answer? A ridiculous number. First, the voiceover suggests ten bowls, then thirty, then one hundred, and finally stacks the poor man atop an Everest-like pyramid made entirely of cereal bowls—over 30,000 of them—before introducing the nuclear option: Super Colon Blow.
It was peak SNL—clever, visual, satirical, and completely absurd.
And like many of SNL’s best skits, it left fans wondering whether the outrageous props were real or just Hollywood illusions. In this case? The box was very real.
The Box That Made Comedy History
Fast forward a few decades, and a serious collector walks into a pawn shop carrying a piece of comedy gold: a genuine Super Colon Blow box prop, used in the original 1989 sketch with Phil Hartman.
“I’ve had it a long time,” the seller explained. “A buddy of a buddy worked on the show and passed it on to me.”
Not only was the box in great shape—it even came with a certificate of authenticity, verifying its use in the 1989 episode. As far as comedy collectibles go, this was the real deal.
“It’s high in fiber, low in fat,” joked the shop owner. “Seems pretty healthy… I guess it’ll make you poop.”
SNL Props: Rare, Weird, and Wildly Valuable
Props from Saturday Night Live don’t show up every day. They’re usually made quickly, used once, and rarely preserved. That’s what makes this find so special.
It’s not just a replica or a fan-made reproduction. It’s the box that sat on camera while Phil Hartman delivered one of the most memorably bizarre performances in sketch history.
“SNL just has this way of taking everyday items and twisting them,” said the collector. “And this is one of their most legendary fake products.”
So what was he hoping to get? A cool $8,000.
Comedy Meets Commerce: Let’s Make a Deal
The shop owner was interested—but cautious. After all, not many people walk into a store asking for 35-year-old cereal boxes with questionable digestive implications.
“I’d love to buy this,” he said. “But I don’t have people coming in here looking for boxes of Colon Blow.”
Still, the prop’s rarity and connection to a beloved SNL legend gave it undeniable appeal. After some haggling, the seller turned down a $3,000 offer and held firm.
“Can you do five?”
“$3,500 is really the best I can do,” the owner countered. “And honestly, I’m just offering that because my boss loves Saturday Night Live—and I think he’ll give me a raise if I buy this.”
With a laugh and a handshake, the deal was made. $3,500—not quite the eight grand the seller hoped for, but enough to put a dent in his kids’ college fund, and a happy ending for a legendary gag gift.
A Prop Worth More Than Fiber Content
Let’s take a moment to appreciate what this box really represents.
In a world where collectible value is often tied to rarity + cultural relevance, this prop checks every box:
- ✅ Used in a real SNL sketch (1989)
- ✅ Connected to Phil Hartman, a comedy icon
- ✅ In great condition
- ✅ With documented provenance
- ✅ Still incredibly funny, even out of context
That last part is key. Some props age poorly—either visually or in terms of social relevance. But Super Colon Blow has become even funnier over time. It pokes fun at marketing hype, health trends, and human gullibility—universal topics that never really go out of style.
Why Comedy Collectibles Are on the Rise
As generations grow up with nostalgia for the media that shaped them, comedy memorabilia has started to command real value.
Think about it:
- A signed Seinfeld script? Thousands.
- A Chris Farley jacket from Tommy Boy? Tens of thousands.
- The original Wayne’s World couch? Name your price.
These aren’t just props—they’re part of shared cultural memory. People collect them because they spark emotion, laughter, and a sense of connection to the moments that made them who they are.
The Legacy of Phil Hartman and SNL’s Prop Department
Phil Hartman remains one of the most versatile and beloved performers in SNL history. Known for his deadpan delivery, perfect timing, and ability to fully inhabit absurd characters, Hartman brought a special kind of magic to every sketch he touched.
“Hartman could sell anything,” the expert noted. “Even a cereal with enough fiber to launch you into space.”
Behind every performance like his, there’s a props department scrambling behind the scenes—printing fake labels, building cardboard boxes, and turning 30-second jokes into unforgettable visuals.
This box? It’s a salute to both—the actor who made us laugh, and the team who made that laughter possible.
Final Thoughts: When a Box Is More Than a Box
At face value, the Super Colon Blow box is just a goofy cereal parody. But behind the laminated cardboard and fiber jokes lies a slice of comedy history.
It’s a reminder of the power of humor, the magic of live TV, and the weird, wonderful world of collectible props.
And most importantly?
It’s a great gift for your boss… if he needs a laugh and some fiber.
