Saturday Night Live backdrop
Saturday Night Live poster
Comedy
News

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 Betty White/Jay-Z
    8.9/10(649 votes)

    #1 - Betty White/Jay-Z

    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."

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Don Roy King
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers
    8.8/10(246 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".

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Eddie Murphy and Lizzo
    8.8/10(861 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.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  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

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for April 13 - Ryan Gosling
    8.7/10(674 votes)

    #5 - April 13 - Ryan Gosling

    S49:E17

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

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Justin Timberlake
    8.6/10(325 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."

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

    READ
  8. Background image for February 4 - Pedro Pascal
    8.5/10(811 votes)

    #7 - February 4 - Pedro Pascal

    S48:E12

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

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Jim Carrey/Soundgarden
    8.4/10(295 votes)

    #8 - Jim Carrey/Soundgarden

    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"".

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Justin Timberlake with Lady Gaga
    8.4/10(329 votes)

    #9 - Justin Timberlake with Lady Gaga

    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".

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Justin Timberlake
    8.4/10(384 votes)

    #10 - Justin Timberlake

    S38:E16

    Host and musical guest Justin Timberlake.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Richard Pryor with Gil Scott-Heron
    8.3/10(416 votes)

    #11 - 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

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Jimmy Fallon with Michael Bublé
    8.3/10(335 votes)

    #12 - Jimmy Fallon with Michael Bublé

    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.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Dave Chappelle with A Tribe Called Quest
    8.3/10(604 votes)

    #13 - Dave Chappelle with A Tribe Called Quest

    S42:E6

    No description available

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
  15. Background image for Adam Sandler and Shawn Mendes
    8.3/10(468 votes)

    #14 - Adam Sandler and Shawn Mendes

    S44:E19

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

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
  16. Background image for Justin Timberlake/Ciara
    8.2/10(255 votes)

    #15 - Justin Timberlake/Ciara

    S34:E21

    No description available

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for Christopher Walken/Christina Aguilera
    8.1/10(162 votes)

    #16 - 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"".

    0 Comments
    View all
  18. Background image for Maya Rudolph with Sleigh Bells
    8.1/10(243 votes)

    #17 - Maya Rudolph with Sleigh Bells

    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?

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Larry David with The 1975
    8.1/10(342 votes)

    #18 - 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.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Bill Hader and Arcade Fire
    8.1/10(386 votes)

    #19 - Bill Hader and Arcade Fire

    S43:E16

    No description available

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
  21. Background image for John Mulaney and Thomas Rhett
    8.1/10(408 votes)

    #20 - John Mulaney and Thomas Rhett

    S44:E14

    Comedian John Mulaney hosts with musical guest Thomas Rhett.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
  22. Background image for Carrie Fisher/The Blues Brothers
    8.0/10(186 votes)

    #21 - 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.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Bill Hader with Hozier
    8.0/10(399 votes)

    #22 - Bill Hader with Hozier

    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.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Tom Hanks with Lady Gaga
    8.0/10(493 votes)

    #23 - Tom Hanks with Lady Gaga

    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.

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
  25. Background image for Kristen Stewart with Alessia Cara
    8.0/10(486 votes)

    #24 - Kristen Stewart with Alessia Cara

    S42:E13

    No description available

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown
  26. Background image for Donald Glover and Childish Gambino
    8.0/10(471 votes)

    #25 - Donald Glover and Childish Gambino

    S43:E19

    No description available

    0 Comments
    View all
    Director:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Betty White/Jay-Z" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live". It scored 8.9/10 based on 649 votes. Directed by Don Roy King and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/8/2010. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers".