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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...

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  1. 8.9/10(644 votes)

    #1 - Betty White/Jay-Z

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    S35:E21

    Sketches include "Lawrence Welk Cold Open," "Betty White Monologue," "NPR," "The Manuel Ortiz Show," "Gingey," "Weekend Update," featuring Molly Shannon as Sally O'Malley and Betty White as Dottie Donigan, "Scared Straight" and "Census 2010."

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    Director:Don Roy King
    Writer:N/A
  2. 8.8/10(244 votes)

    #2 - Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers

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    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".

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    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:N/A
  3. 8.8/10(856 votes)

    #3 - Eddie Murphy and Lizzo

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    S45:E10

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

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  4. 8.7/10(552 votes)

    #4 - Jimmy Fallon with Justin Timberlake

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    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

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  5. 8.6/10(324 votes)

    #5 - Justin Timberlake

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    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."

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  6. 8.6/10(662 votes)

    #6 - April 13 - Ryan Gosling

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    S49:E17

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

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  8. 8.4/10(295 votes)

    #7 - Jim Carrey/Soundgarden

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    S21:E20

    Sketches include: ""Nightline,"" ""Spartan Cheerleaders,"" ""Roxbury Guys,"" ""Overprotective Lifeguard,"" ""I'll See You In Hell,"" ""Spade in America,"" ""The Joe Pesci Show,"" and ""Jimmy Tango's Fat Busters"".

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  9. 8.4/10(328 votes)

    #8 - Justin Timberlake with Lady Gaga

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    S36:E22

    Sketches include Rikers Island, Liquorville, WXPD News, Three-Way (Digital Short), What's That Name?, Merry-Go-Love Tunnel, Secret Word and The Barry Gibbs Talk Show. Lady Gaga performs "The Edge of Glory", "Judas" and "Born This Way".

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  10. 8.4/10(382 votes)

    #9 - Justin Timberlake

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    S38:E16

    Host and musical guest Justin Timberlake.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  11. 8.4/10(803 votes)

    #10 - February 4 - Pedro Pascal

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    S48:E12

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

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  12. 8.3/10(413 votes)

    #11 - Richard Pryor with Gil Scott-Heron

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    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

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    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:N/A
  13. 8.3/10(333 votes)

    #12 - Jimmy Fallon with Michael Bublé

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    S37:E10

    Michael Bublé performs “A Holly, Jolly Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” Skits include: Sully and Denise, Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda, Michael Bublé Christmas Duets, Mirror Sketch, 1920s Party, Half Jewish, Half Italian, Completely Neurotic, Seasons Greetings From Saturday Night Live, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Regional Production of “War Horse, Tebow and Jesus.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  14. 8.3/10(603 votes)

    #13 - Dave Chappelle with A Tribe Called Quest

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    S42:E6

    No description available

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    Director:N/A
  15. 8.3/10(465 votes)

    #14 - Adam Sandler and Shawn Mendes

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    S44:E19

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

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    Director:N/A
  16. 8.2/10(255 votes)

    #15 - Justin Timberlake/Ciara

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    S34:E21

    No description available

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  17. 8.1/10(162 votes)

    #16 - Christopher Walken/Christina Aguilera

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    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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    Writer:N/A
  18. 8.1/10(242 votes)

    #17 - Maya Rudolph with Sleigh Bells

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    S37:E15

    Sleigh Bells perform “Comeback Kid" and “End of the Line" Skits include: New York Sports Now, Bronx Beat, Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Laughs, Beyonce and Jay Z, What’s Up With That?, Super Showcase, A Message from First Lady Michelle Obama, How’s He Doing?

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  19. 8.1/10(339 votes)

    #18 - Larry David with The 1975

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    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.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  20. 8.1/10(384 votes)

    #19 - Bill Hader and Arcade Fire

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    S43:E16

    No description available

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    Director:N/A
  21. 8.1/10(406 votes)

    #20 - John Mulaney and Thomas Rhett

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    S44:E14

    Comedian John Mulaney hosts with musical guest Thomas Rhett.

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    Director:N/A
  22. 8.0/10(184 votes)

    #21 - Carrie Fisher/The Blues Brothers

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    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.

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    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:N/A
  23. 8.0/10(397 votes)

    #22 - Bill Hader with Hozier

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    S40:E3

    Bill Hader makes his hosting debut alongside musical guest Hozier. Sketches include Herb Welch: Virginity Pledge Rally, The Group Hopper, Hollywood Game Night, Weekend Update: Stefon Returns, Puppet Class and Cat.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  24. 8.0/10(492 votes)

    #23 - Tom Hanks with Lady Gaga

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    S42:E4

    Sketches include: The Presidential Debate, Black Jeopardy, Halloween Show, Broken, Haunted Elevator (ft. David S. Pumpkins), Weekend Update, Cockpit, A Girl's Halloween, America's Funniest Pets.

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    Director:N/A
  25. 8.0/10(486 votes)

    #24 - Kristen Stewart with Alessia Cara

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    S42:E13

    No description available

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    Director:N/A
  26. 8.0/10(470 votes)

    #25 - Donald Glover and Childish Gambino

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    S43:E19

    No description available

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    Director:N/A

Best Episodes Summary

"Betty White/Jay-Z" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live". It scored 8.9/10 based on 644 votes. Directed by Don Roy King and written by N/A, it aired on 5/8/2010. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers".