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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 1

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 1!

Binge this in 1d 2h•Peaking at 8.3/10

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 by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 7 - Richard Pryor with Gil Scott-Heron
    8.3/10(434 votes)

    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
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Paul Mooney

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 19 - Madeline Kahn with Carly Simon
    7.7/10(253 votes)

    S1:E19

    Live from New York, it's Chevy Chase! Sketches are "Ronald Reagan's Jam Session," Not for Ladies Only, Wilderness Comedian, "Slumber Party," Bride of Frankenstein, "Fondue Pots for Namibia," "The Muppets Can Reunite the Beatles," New York's My Home (film), "Super Absordent Dry Hose," and "The Final Days." Carly Simon performs You're So Vain.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gary Weis
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 10 - Buck Henry with Bill Withers and Toni Basil
    7.5/10(268 votes)

    S1:E10

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include--Suicide Prevention, "Samurai Deli", Operation Stumblebum, "Citizen Kane II", King Bee(the Blues Brothers), Auto mechanic tells bedtime story, "Presidential Foreplay", Chevy misuses a joint, The Constipated Man, The Muppets and the Japanese sex Device.

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 22 - Elliott Gould with Leon Redbone and Harlan Collins & Joyce Everson
    7.5/10(211 votes)

    S1:E22

    Sketches include "Wax Museum," "Phone Operator Academy," "European Poker Player," "Babs's Uvula," "The Last Voyage of the Starship Enterprise," "The Bee Honeymooners," "Shirley Temple Black," "Vibramatic," "Uncle Charlie's School," and "Show Us Your Guns." Leon Redbone performed "Shine On Harvest Moon."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gary Weis
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 1 - George Carlin with Billy Preston and Janis Ian
    7.3/10(877 votes)

    S1:E1

    Live from New York, It's... George Carlin! Sketches Include: Wolverines, New Dad Insurance, The Courtroom, Victims of Shark Bite, Jamitol, Triopenin, Jim Henson's Muppets, Bee Hospital, Academy of Better Careers, Show Us Your Guns, Trojan Horse Home Security, Triple-Trac

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 11 - Peter Cook & Dudley Moore with Neil Sedaka
    7.2/10(260 votes)

    S1:E11

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include-- Bomb Squad, Prisoner Auditions, "Don Pardo's Holiday on A Elevator", "Table Talk", "Backstage Banter", Sonny and Cher, The Baby Jesus, Chevy talks to Angola's roommate, The Muppets.

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 15 - Jill Clayburgh with Leon Redbone
    7.2/10(221 votes)

    S1:E15

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include-- No More Falls, "Great Moments in Herstory", White Guilt Relief Fund, Inquisitive Girlfriend, Grable and Lombard, Car Yummies, Paying the Milkman, Jill Carson Guidance Counselor!, Andy Kaufman sings "Old Macdonald", "The Mr. Bill Show".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gary Weis, Walter Williams
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 21 - Buck Henry with Gordon Lightfoot
    7.2/10(208 votes)

    S1:E21

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include--Emmy winner Chevy tries to get Laraine todo the fall, Samurai Tailor, "Talk Back!", "Dell Stator's Toad Ranch Resturaunt", "Looks at Books", The Crowd Audition, Peter Lemon Moodring, "Not For Ladies Only", Lorne Micheals offer to the Beatles.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gary Weis
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 14 - Desi Arnaz with Desi Arnaz Jr.
    7.1/10(246 votes)

    S1:E14

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include-- Gerald Ford gives a word association, Literary Recital, Very White(Chevy Chase)sings unsoulful songs, "The Failed Pilots of I Love Lucy", Cuban accupunture, Lucille Ball talks about Desi's book, Bisexual Minute.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gary Weis
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 17 - Ron Nessen with the Patti Smith Group
    7.1/10(230 votes)

    S1:E17

    Live from New York, It's...Gerald Ford Sketches include-- "The Dead String Quartet", Super Bass-O-Matic 76, An Oval Office, David Eisenhower is Anti-Nixon, Thomas Jefferson denies slavery, The New Stoner Volunteer Army, Catherine the Great, Disgusting Jam, Autumm Fizz--The Carbonated Douche, "Tomorrow With Tom Snyder".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gary Weis, David Massar
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 4 - Candice Bergen with Esther Phillips
    7.0/10(386 votes)

    S1:E4

    Live from New York, It's... Candice Bergen Sketches include: Ambassador Training Institute, CIA Department of Records, Jaws II, Long Distance, Chanel, Feminine Talk, Midnight Probe, Crank Call, Jim Henson's Muppets, Irk The Turk, Black Perspective, Pong

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Carl Gottlieb

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 16 - Anthony Perkins with Betty Carter
    7.0/10(240 votes)

    S1:E16

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include--'SNL is not ad-libbed' says Chevy Chase, A President's View on Marijuana, Dominatrix Cleaning Tips, "Norman Bates School of Hotel Management", Low-budget Movie Trailers, Sherry protest her B(ee), Policemen Dance Party, "Hello Dolly".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 6 - Lily Tomlin
    6.9/10(331 votes)

    S1:E6

    Live from New York, it's... Lily Tomlin Sketches Include: Beethoven Part 1, Jaws III, Bell-Hop, Edith Ann Skates, Beethoven Part 2, Spud Beer, Patty, Jim Henson's Muppets, Beethoven Part 3, Hard Hats, Speed, Margo's Dance Palace

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 8 - Candice Bergen with Martha Reeves and The Stylistics
    6.9/10(302 votes)

    S1:E8

    Live from New York, It's... Candice Bergen! Sketches include-- Fireside Chat with Gerald Ford, "Mel's Char Palace", "What Gilda Ate", Billy is guilty of murder, Teddy the Elf, "The Fritzie Kringle Show", "Minute Mystery", Candice and the cast perform 'Winter Wonderland', The Bees Christmas Party, Homeward Bound.

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 9 - Elliott Gould with Anne Murray
    6.9/10(275 votes)

    S1:E9

    Live from New York, it's... Elliott Gould! Sketches include "The Dead String Quartet," "Interior Demolitionists," "Vito Corleone in Therapy," "The Killer Bees," "Birthright", "Gilda and Elliot," "New Shimmer," The Muppets, "Play Misty for Me" (film), "Jamitol," "Try-Hard 1-11," and "Powwow With the Press" (stand-up). Anne Murray performed "Long Distance Call" and "Boogie With You."

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 13 - Peter Boyle with Al Jarreau
    6.9/10(233 votes)

    S1:E13

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include "The Valentine's Day Massacre," "Samurai Divorce Court," "Jason and Sunshine," "The Corrida." "All Pro Wrestling," "Remembering of Things Past", "Dueling Brandos," "A Home Movie" (film), and "The Orgy." Al Jarreau performs "We'll Get By."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gary Weis
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 18 - Raquel Welch with Phoebe Snow and John Sebastian
    6.9/10(235 votes)

    S1:E18

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include-- "Get to the fall Chevy!", Purina Rat Chow, Joseph Franklin's 10-letter Metric Alphabet, "The Claudine Longet Ski Invitational", "One Flew Over The Hornest Nest", Chevy tries to convince Raquel to take off her shirt, Baba Wawa, Bisexual Moment, The Muppets are finished on SNL.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gary Weis
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Jim Henson

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 3 - Rob Reiner
    6.8/10(424 votes)

    S1:E3

    Live from New York, it's... Rob Reiner! Sketches Include: National Pancreas Association, Fashion Don'ts, Golden Needles, Dangerous But Inept, Felina Cat Food, Middle American Van Lines, Musical Performance (Joe Cocker), Jim Henson's Muppets, Drooler's Anti-Defamation League, Square Dance, Mark Hampton and Denny Dillon, What Gilda Ate, Bees

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 24 - Kris Kristofferson with Rita Coolidge
    6.7/10(207 votes)

    S1:E24

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include--Kristofferson signs "Help Me Make it Through The Night", new SNL employer Sherry, Samurai General Practitioner, the Great White Athelete, Gerald Ford dosent want to talk about local issues, "Talk Country", My Blind Date is My Gynocologist, Andrew Young is a Suckup, Police State, "Waiting For Don Pardo".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 5 - Robert Klein with ABBA and Loudon Wainwright III
    6.5/10(340 votes)

    S1:E5

    Live from New York, It's... Robert Klein Sketches include: Pong, Minute Mystery, Bee Centennial Minute, Greg Allman How's Your Love Life?, Tough Director, Jamitol, Exterminators, Fireman, Jim Henson's Muppets, K-Put Price-Is-Rite Stamp Gun, Looks At Books, I Can't Stop My Leg

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster

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  21. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 12 - Dick Cavett with Jimmy Cliff
    6.4/10(238 votes)

    S1:E12

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include--Voodoo on Chevy Chase, Alcohol and Firearms, Lowell Brock of H&R Brock, "Looks at Books", Dick Cavett's School of Hydroplane Operation, Dance To The Nation, "The Apple Follies", Our Town.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Harry McDevitt, Gary Weis
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  22. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 20 - Dyan Cannon with Leon & Mary Russell
    6.4/10(214 votes)

    S1:E20

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include--Chevy has to do the fall again, "Hearing Test," "The Adulterer," "Vacationland Adventure", "Minister with Hiccups," "Dyan Cannon's Dream," "Orange Juice," "The Bathwater of The Stars", "Johnny Angel", "Cresk Toothpaste,"" and "The Hubcap Thief" (film). Leon Russell and Joe Cocker (Belushi) perform "Daylight".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gary Weis
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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  23. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 2 - Paul Simon with Randy Newman and Phoebe Snow
    6.2/10(504 votes)

    S1:E2

    Live from New York, It's... Paul Simon! Sketches Include: The Berkeley Collection, Bees, Jim Henson's Muppets, Try-Hard 1-11

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster

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  24. Saturday Night Live Season 1 Episode 23 - Louise Lasser with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
    5.2/10(215 votes)

    S1:E23

    Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include--Belushi thinks Chevy has a big head, Louise Lasser locks herself dressing room, General "V.D" Amin, Sven and Inger, John Belushi tries to sell his clothes, Ode to Television, Louise apologizes to her dog, Jimmy Carter talks about the campagin.

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Richard Pryor with Gil Scott-Heron" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 1. It scored 8.3/10 based on 434 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson and written by Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Chevy Chase, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Paul Mooney, it aired on 12/13/1975. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Madeline Kahn with Carly Simon".