Back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, Saturday Night Live was home to some of the most bizarre, hilarious, and unforgettable characters in sketch comedy history. One of the most talked about — and controversially named — was “The Ambiguously Gay Duo.” Ace and Gary, two masked superheroes with questionable chemistry, were part of the TV Funhouse animated segments that became a cult favorite among SNL fans. So, what’s the big deal about these two? Why do people still talk about them today? And how did Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell end up voicing one of the most ambiguously named duos in TV history? Let’s get into it.

Whether you're a longtime SNL follower or just curious about the sketch that had everyone whispering in the school hallways, this post is for you. We’ll explore the origins of “The Ambiguously Gay Duo,” the humor behind the name, and how it became a part of pop culture. Plus, we’ll take a look at how the sketch fits into the broader context of SNL's history and the evolution of comedy sketches that play with gender and sexuality.

And if you’ve ever wondered why the phrase “ambiguously gay” sparked so much conversation — both back in the day and even now — we’ve got that covered too. It’s not just about jokes and animation; it’s also about how media shapes our perceptions, sometimes unintentionally. So grab a snack, maybe a plate of oxtail (or Brussels sprouts), and let’s dive into the world of Ace and Gary.

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Table of Contents

• The Origins of The Ambiguously Gay Duo
• Ace and Gary: The Dynamic (and Confusing) Duo
• Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell: Bringing the Duo to Life
• Why The Ambiguously Gay Duo Still Matters Today
• Frequently Asked Questions About The Ambiguously Gay Duo

The Origins of The Ambiguously Gay Duo

Before Ace and Gary became Saturday Night Live staples, they first appeared on The Dana Carvey Show, a short-lived but influential sketch comedy program that aired in 1996. Created by Robert Smigel and J. J. Sedelmaier, the animated sketch was part of a segment called “TV Funhouse,” which featured bizarre and surreal animated characters. The sketch was so well-received that it made the jump to SNL, where it continued to air sporadically from 1996 through the early 2000s.

So, how did a sketch that was clearly poking fun at superhero tropes and suburban teen life become known as “The Ambiguously Gay Duo”? Well, the name itself was a joke — a way to add an extra layer of humor to the already over-the-top premise. The characters are clad in matching outfits (very tight ones, at that), share a suspiciously close friendship, and are often seen in poses that made audiences question their relationship. But the joke wasn’t really about their sexuality; it was more about how society tends to read into every little thing and assume things that might not actually be there.

And that’s what made it so clever — it was satire, not a commentary on real-life issues. It played with the audience’s expectations and highlighted how easily we jump to conclusions about people based on stereotypes. In a way, it was ahead of its time, even if it didn’t mean to be.

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Ace and Gary: The Dynamic (and Confusing) Duo

Ace and Gary are teenage superheroes who fight crime in a world full of absurd villains like Bighead, a nerdy kid determined to expose them. Their mission? To save the day, of course — but they also do it with a flair that raises more than a few eyebrows. They’re overly dramatic, overly enthusiastic, and, well, overly everything.

One of the running gags in the sketch is how Ace and Gary seem to be in constant physical contact — holding hands, hugging, or even posing like romantic couples. But the humor comes from the fact that they’re clearly not aware of how they come off to others. They’re just being themselves — best friends who happen to be fighting evil in the most ridiculous way possible.

So, were they actually gay? Well, that’s the point — it’s ambiguous. The creators didn’t want to make a statement about sexuality, they just wanted to have fun with the idea of how people interpret things. The title was meant to be a punchline, not a label. And that’s what made it so controversial (and so funny) back then.

Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell: Bringing the Duo to Life

It’s hard to imagine Ace and Gary without the voices of Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell. These two comedic powerhouses gave the characters their over-the-top personalities, making each line more absurd and hilarious than the last. Colbert voiced Ace, the more dramatic and high-pitched of the two, while Carell played Gary, who was just as dramatic but in a slightly more grounded way.

Before they became household names, both actors were relatively unknown. This sketch gave them a chance to show off their versatility and comedic timing. Their chemistry was spot-on, and it’s easy to see why the characters became fan favorites. You can almost hear the smirk in their voices as they deliver lines like “We’ll save the day again!” or “We’re not just heroes — we’re friends!”

It’s interesting to think about how much both actors have grown since then. Colbert went on to host his own late-night show and take over from Jon Stewart on The Colbert Report, while Carell became a movie star and one of the biggest names in comedy. But for many fans, their work on this sketch remains one of the most memorable parts of their early careers.

Why The Ambiguously Gay Duo Still Matters Today

Even though the sketch hasn’t aired in years, it’s still talked about by fans and referenced in pop culture. Part of that is due to nostalgia — people love remembering the shows they grew up watching. But another part is how the sketch dealt with themes that are still relevant today: identity, perception, and how we interpret others’ actions.

Some people might find the title problematic by today’s standards, and that’s a valid point. Humor from the past doesn’t always age well, and what was seen as harmless back then might not be received the same way now. But it’s also important to look at the context. The sketch wasn’t trying to mock or offend anyone — it was just playing with ideas of how people assume things about others based on appearance or behavior.

Also, the sketch is a great example of how animation can be used to push boundaries in live-action shows. SNL is known for its live sketches, but the animated segments allowed them to take risks and be more experimental. “The Ambiguously Gay Duo” was one of those risks that paid off big time.

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For more on how animation helped shape SNL’s legacy, check out the official SNL page.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Ambiguously Gay Duo

Was Ace and Gary actually gay?

No, not really. The characters were written as friends, and the “ambiguously gay” part was more of a joke about how people interpret their actions. The title was meant to be funny, not a commentary on their actual sexuality.

Why was the sketch called “Ambiguously Gay”?

The creators used the term to add humor to the sketch, poking fun at how society often assumes things about people based on how they act or dress. It was a way to exaggerate typical male friendship tropes and make them seem more dramatic than they really were.

Learn more about how humor and perception interact in modern media on our site.

Where can I watch The Ambiguously Gay Duo?

You can find clips on YouTube, and some full episodes are available on streaming platforms like Peacock and Hulu. If you're a fan of SNL history, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Want to explore more iconic SNL sketches? gives you a deep dive into other unforgettable moments from the show.