Close Encounter is a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live. In each instance, three people (played by Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, and the episode's host) describe a spectacular experience to two specialists. The first specialist is played by Aidy Bryant, and the second was played by Bobby Moynihan in the first three installments, then by Mikey Day after that. Two of the people had a similar and positive experience, while McKinnon's character (named Miss Rafferty) always had a different experience.
| Date | Host | Sketch Title | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 5, 2015 | Ryan Gosling | Close Encounter | They describe their alien abduction. |
| May 7, 2016 | Brie Larson | Near-Death Experience | They describe their near-death experiences after a car accident. |
| December 17, 2016 | Casey Affleck | Christmas Miracle | They describe meeting Santa Claus. |
| September 30, 2017 | Ryan Gosling | Another Close Encounter | They describe a second alien abduction. |
| November 10, 2018 | Liev Schreiber | Paranormal Encounter | They describe encountering ghosts. |
| May 18, 2019 | Paul Rudd | A Journey Through Time | They describe traveling through time. |
| May 21, 2022 | Natasha Lyonne | Final Encounter Cold Open | They describe being abducted by aliens again. As Kate McKinnon's finale episode on SNL, the sketch ends with her character leaving with the aliens. |
| April 13, 2024 | Ryan Gosling | Close Encounter Cold Open | Three friends are questioned by the NSA and SETI after experiencing another alien abduction. |
| Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special | - | Close Encounter 50th | Rafferty is joined by her mother to recount their latest paranormal experience. |