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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live

Every episode of Saturday Night Live ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live!

The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live

A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed...
  1. Background image for Rob Morrow/Nirvana
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Rob Morrow/Nirvana

    S17:E10

    Sketches include ""Oliver Stone,"" ""It's Pat,"" ""Delta Delta Delta Girls,"" ""Chris Rock's Guide to Surviving the Apollo,"" and ""Awkward Conversation.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:Unknown
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  2. Background image for Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers
    8.8/10(250 votes)

    #2 - Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers

    S3:E18

    *Nominated for an Emmy Award* Live From New York, It's...Paul Shaffer Sketches include--"Don Kirshner's Rock Concert", "Hey You!", "Wild & Crazy Guys", "Theodoric of York", "Dancing In The Dark", "Extramarital Foreplay", "Swan Lake", "Troff 'n' Brew", "Nerds Science Fair", "Next Week In Review".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:Unknown
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  3. Background image for Eddie Murphy and Lizzo
    8.8/10(865 votes)

    #3 - Eddie Murphy and Lizzo

    S45:E10

    "Dolemite Is My Name" actor and "Saturday Night Live" alum Eddie Murphy performs with musical guest Lizzo.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  4. Background image for Jimmy Fallon with Justin Timberlake
    8.7/10(554 votes)

    #4 - Jimmy Fallon with Justin Timberlake

    S39:E10

    Cold Open: Wrappinville Sketches: Celebrity Family Feud, The Barry Gibb Talk Show, Waking Up With Kimye, A Christmas Carol, It's Cold Outside Commercials: Now That's What I Call Christmas

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  5. Background image for April 13 - Ryan Gosling
    8.7/10(680 votes)

    #5 - April 13 - Ryan Gosling

    S49:E17

    Ryan Gosling hosts Saturday Night Live on April 13, 2024, with musical guest Chris Stapleton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  6. Background image for Justin Timberlake
    8.6/10(331 votes)

    #6 - Justin Timberlake

    S32:E9

    Live from New York, it's... Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Kristin Wiig!Sketches include "Santa's My Boyfriend," "Homelessville," "Target Greatland," "D*** in a Box" (film), "The Barry Gibb Talk Show," "Dry Eyes," "Hip Hop Kids," "Elf Auditions," and "A Holiday Message from Nancy Grace."Justin Timberlake performed "My Love" and "What Goes Around Comes Around."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  8. Background image for February 4 - Pedro Pascal
    8.5/10(818 votes)

    #7 - February 4 - Pedro Pascal

    S48:E12

    Pedro Pascal hosts Saturday Night Live on February 4, 2023, with musical guest Coldplay.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  9. Background image for Justin Timberlake
    8.4/10(387 votes)

    #8 - Justin Timberlake

    S38:E16

    Host and musical guest Justin Timberlake.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  10. Background image for Richard Pryor with Gil Scott-Heron
    8.3/10(422 votes)

    #9 - Richard Pryor with Gil Scott-Heron

    S1:E7

    Live From New York, it's...Richard Pryor! Sketches Include: Samurai Hotel, Looks At Books, Line-Up #1, Word Association, Pong, They're Taking Over, Line-Up #2, L-Pill, Jim Henson's Muppets, Line-Up #3, Exorcist II, Assassination

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:Unknown
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  11. Background image for Dave Chappelle with A Tribe Called Quest
    8.3/10(609 votes)

    #10 - Dave Chappelle with A Tribe Called Quest

    S42:E6

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
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  12. Background image for Adam Sandler and Shawn Mendes
    8.3/10(472 votes)

    #11 - Adam Sandler and Shawn Mendes

    S44:E19

    "Murder Mystery" actor and "Saturday Night Live" alum Adam Sandler hosts with musical guest Shawn Mendes.

    Director:Unknown
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  13. Background image for Jesse Eisenberg with Nicki Minaj
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #12 - Jesse Eisenberg with Nicki Minaj

    S36:E13

    Sketches include Bachmann Address Cold Open, Eisenberg Monologue featuring Mark Zuckerberg, Estromaxx, Mister Wizard, Herb Welch, An SNL Digital Short: The Creep featuring Nicki Minaj, Weekend Update, Bride of Blackenstein, MTV Skins, and more.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  14. Background image for Christopher Walken/Christina Aguilera
    8.1/10(166 votes)

    #13 - Christopher Walken/Christina Aguilera

    S25:E16

    Live from New York, it's...Dana Carvey (as George Bush, Sr.) Sketches include ""George Bush and Son,"" ""Behind the Music: Blue Oyster Cult,"" ""Elian Gonzalez Musical,"" ""The Continental,"" ""Thanks, Viagra,"" ""Jenny Jones,"" ""The Census Taker,"" and ""Miss Greenwood Hills Beauty Pageant."" Christina Aguilera performs: ""I Turn To You"", ""At Last"", and ""What A Girl Wants"".

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  15. Background image for Larry David with The 1975
    8.1/10(346 votes)

    #14 - Larry David with The 1975

    S41:E12

    Larry David makes his hosting debut alongside first-time musical guest The 1975. Sketches include Larry David Monologue, Bern Your Enthusiasm, Steam Ship, Weekend Update: Derek Zoolander & Hansel and Last Call with Larry David.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  16. Background image for Bill Hader and Arcade Fire
    8.1/10(388 votes)

    #15 - Bill Hader and Arcade Fire

    S43:E16

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
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  17. Background image for John Mulaney and Thomas Rhett
    8.1/10(413 votes)

    #16 - John Mulaney and Thomas Rhett

    S44:E14

    Comedian John Mulaney hosts with musical guest Thomas Rhett.

    Director:Unknown
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  18. Background image for Carrie Fisher/The Blues Brothers
    8.0/10(190 votes)

    #17 - Carrie Fisher/The Blues Brothers

    S4:E6

    Live from New York, it's....Garrett Morris! The Blues Brothers open the show by performing Soul Man. Carrie comes out dressed as Princess Leia for her monologue, telling a joke that only the voice of Obi Won (Dan Aykroyd) likes. This leads into Beach Blanket Bimbo from Outer Space, "The Loud Family," Mercy Killers, the Blues Brothers' performance of Almost and B-Movie Boxcar Blues, "Mr. Bill's Fishing Trip," Tomorrow, "Bad Red Chinese Ballet," and the Schiller film Arrividerci Roman.

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:Unknown
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  19. Background image for Steve Martin/Sting
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Steve Martin/Sting

    S13:E1

    Sketches include ""Ronald Reagan and George Bush,"" ""Gary Hart Ad,"" ""Common Knowledge,"" ""NFL Today,"" ""Slide Whistle Sound Effects,"" ""Bullets Aren't Cheap,"" ""Permission to Speak Freely,"" ""Adventures in the Lost Realm,"" and ""Pumping Up With Hans and Franz"".

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  20. Background image for Sean Penn/L.L. Cool J., Michael Penn & the Pull
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - Sean Penn/L.L. Cool J., Michael Penn & the Pull

    S13:E2

    Live from New York, it's... Sean Penn! Sketches include "Fatal Attraction 2," "Wall Street Week," "Church Chat," "Pitman & Bullock," "The Teeny Cafe," "Keister Family Talk," "Discover," "The Spimozo Brothers," and "Cat Dentist" (film). LL Cool J performs "Go Cut Creator Go." Michael Penn and The Pull performs "This & That."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  21. Background image for Paul Rudd/Beyonce
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #20 - Paul Rudd/Beyonce

    S34:E8

    Live from New York, it's... Jason Sudeikis! Sketches include "Vice President-elect Joe Biden," "Sproingo," "Kissing Family," "Scared Straight," "Everyone's a Critic" (Digital Short), "Tom and Tonya Peoples," "Garden Party Road Trip," "Beyonce Video Shoot," "Suicide Negotiation," "Proposition 8," and "Clearing the Air" (film). Beyonce performed "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  22. Background image for Alec Baldwin/Jonas Brothers
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Alec Baldwin/Jonas Brothers

    S34:E16

    Actor Alec Baldwin hosts; Jonas Brothers perform "Tonight" and "Video Girl." Sketches include "Republican Congressional Leadership Meeting," "The Fourth Jonas Brother," "The Cougar Den," "Digital Short: The Jonas Brothers' Secret," "Sir Mix-a-Lot's Photo Shop," "Weekend Update" with guests Oscar Rogers, Angelina Jolie, Angie Tempura, and Joaquin Phoenix, "Vincent Price's Valentine's Day Special," "Planning a Meeting," "Wii," "Chewable Pampers Commercial," "Virgania Horsen's Hot Air Balloon Rides," and "First Coughs."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  23. Background image for Zac Efron/Yeah Yeah Yeahs
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Zac Efron/Yeah Yeah Yeahs

    S34:E20

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  24. Background image for Justin Timberlake/Ciara
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Justin Timberlake/Ciara

    S34:E21

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  25. Background image for Joseph Gordon-Levitt / Dave Matthews Band
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #24 - Joseph Gordon-Levitt / Dave Matthews Band

    S35:E7

    Live from New York, it's... Nasim Pedrad and Will Forte! Sketches include "Obama and Hu Jintao," "Movie Trailer Re-Cut: Palin 2012," "Secret Word," "A Girl Like Reba" (Digital Short), "The Mellow Show," "What's Up With That?," "Thanksgiving Dinner," "Woman To Woman," and "Say Anything." The Dave Matthews Band performed "You and Me" and "Shake Me Like a Monkey."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  26. Background image for Dana Carvey with Linkin Park
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #25 - Dana Carvey with Linkin Park

    S36:E14

    Sketches include Wayne's World Cold Open featuring Mike Myers, Dana Carvey Monologue, Sleepmate Pro, Church Chat featuring Justin Bieber, Teen Crisis Hotline, The Roommate featuring Justin Bieber, Weekend Update, Pageant Preview, and more.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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Best Episodes Summary

"Rob Morrow/Nirvana" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/11/1992. This episode scored 1.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers".