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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 11

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 11 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 11!

Binge this in 20h 6m•Peaking at 6.8/10

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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#1 Fan Favorite
6.1/10(105 votes)
#1 - Madonna/Simple Minds
S11:E111/9/1985
Sketches include: ""SNL Drug Tests,"" ""A Message From The Almighty,"" ""National Inquirer Theatre,"" ""Pinklisting,"" ""Cabrini Green,"" and ""Nancy Reagan Meets Charles and Di."" Simple Minds performed ""Alive and Kicking.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Matthew Meshekoff, James Signorelli, John Fox, Robert Leacock
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Richard Rosen, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Matthew Meshekoff, James Signorelli, John Fox, Robert Leacock
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Richard Rosen, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder
6.0/10(95 votes)
#2 - Chevy Chase/Sheila E.
S11:E211/16/1985
Sketches include ""Smoky Hallway,"" ""Wacky Glue,"" ""Those Unlucky Andersons"", ""Ford and Reagan,"" ""The Pat Stevens Show,"" ""Pathological Liars Anonymous,"" ""Craig Sundburg-Idiot Savant,"" ""Trojans,"" ""The Blue, The Gray and The Yellow,"" ""Vlad the Impaler,"" ""Drums Drums Drums,"" and ""Jose Cuervo's Party School Bowl."" Sheila E. performed ""Hollyrock"" and ""A Love Bizarre.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Matthew Meshekoff, Gary Weis
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Richard Rosen, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Matthew Meshekoff, Gary Weis
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Richard Rosen, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder
6.1/10(92 votes)
#3 - Pee Wee Herman/Queen Ida & The Bon Temps Zydeco Band
S11:E311/23/1985
Sketches include ""Twin Towers Tightrope,"" ""Pee Wee Herman's Thanksgiving Special"", ""Marital Problems,"" ""Pee Wee's School Romance,"" ""Find the Mouse in the Coke,"" and ""Hal Fisher's Money Magnet Method.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Jonathan Demme, Paul Guliner
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Richard Rosen, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder, Phil Hartman, John Paragon
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Jonathan Demme, Paul Guliner
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Richard Rosen, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder, Phil Hartman, John Paragon
6.5/10(82 votes)
#4 - John Lithgow/Mr. Mister
S11:E412/7/1985
Sketches include--- Halley's Comet, Cliche Father, Master Thespian, Nancy Reagan sings ""That Old Black Magic"", The Ad Council, Rajneesh's Rolls-Royces, The Limits Of The Imagination.
Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli, Mark Story
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli, Mark Story
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder
6.5/10(98 votes)
#5 - Tom Hanks/Sade
S11:E512/14/1985
Sketches include "Entertainment Tonight", "Trojans", "Tommy and His Mother", "Comedians" and "Steve's Fantasy".
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder
5.7/10(85 votes)
#6 - Teri Garr/Dream Academy, The Cult
S11:E612/21/1985
Sketches include ""The Wrapper Rapper,"" ""Critic,"" ""The Price of Eggs,"" ""Hildy,"" ""A Roy Orbison Christmas,"" ""The Big Tree,"" and ""Time Traveling Trivial Pursuit."" The Dream Academy performed their one and only hit, ""Life In A Northern Town.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, John Fox, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, John Fox, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder

The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

5.9/10(90 votes)
#7 - Harry Dean Stanton/The Replacements
S11:E71/18/1986
Live from New York, it's... Dennis Miller! Sketches include "Herb's Press Conference," "Gulf Coast Furniture Warehouse," "Cleveland Vice," "Death Of A Gunfighter," "What You Said During Labor," "That Black Girl," "Big Ball Of Sports" (film), "The Friendly Drunk," "Jack's Discount Emporium," and "Say No To The Army." The Replacements performed "Bastards of the Young" and "Kiss Me on the Bus."
Directors:Dave Wilson, Matthew Meshekoff, Jonathan Demme, Paul Guliner, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Matthew Meshekoff, Jonathan Demme, Paul Guliner, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
5.8/10(82 votes)
#8 - Dudley Moore/Al Green
S11:E81/25/1986
Sketches include ""Monks and Football,"" ""The Pat Stevens Show,"" ""Master Thespian"", ""The Limits of the Imagination"", ""Name That Tune,"" and ""Die Foriegner Die!"" Al Green performs ""Going Away.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
6.1/10(81 votes)
#9 - Ron Reagan/The Nelsons
S11:E92/8/1986
Live From New York, it's...Ronald Reagon, Jr. Sketches include: White House Risky Business, You're Going To Hell: A Message From The Almighty (repeat from the Madonna/Simple Minds episode), The Pat Stevens Show, Dalkon Shield Trout Lure, Back To The Future, Penn And Teller Guest Performance, Limits of the Imagination, Shakespeare In The Slums With Flotilda Williams, and The Woody Allen Fan The Nelsons performs: Walk Away and Do You Know What I Mean
Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
5.8/10(95 votes)
#10 - Jerry Hall/Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
S11:E102/15/1986
Live from New York, it's... Mick Jagger! Sketches include "Tommy Flanagan," "The Limits Of The Imagination," and "Models Against The Wilderness," "Master Thespian," "The Line of Death," "Sam Kinison Stand-Up," "The Pat Stevens Show," and "Dad's Sore Big Toe." Stevie Ray & Jimmie Vaughn perform "Say What" and "Change It."
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
5.1/10(79 votes)
#11 - Jay Leno/The Neville Brothers
S11:E112/22/1986
Sketches include ""Backstage,"" ""Star Search,"" ""Dinner with Mike,"" ""Biff & Selena,"" and ""Jay's Evil Twin.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder, Kevin Rooney
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder, Kevin Rooney
5.9/10(74 votes)
#12 - Griffin Dunne/Rosanne Cash
S11:E123/15/1986
""Tommy Flanagan's Pathological Liars Anonymous"", ""Griffin Dunne's One-Handed Drum Solo from Wipeout"", ""Ferdinand Marcos Malacanang Palace Liquidation Sale"", ""You bet your finger"", ""Weekend Update with Dennis Miller"", ""Two Jones' Cable Installers"", ""Penn & Teller"".
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, Andy Breckman, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, Andy Breckman, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
6.8/10(87 votes)
#13 - George Wendt/Philip Glass
S11:E133/22/1986
Sketches include ""The Honeymooners: Lost Episodes,"" ""Camera Control,"" ""Two Directors,"" ""That Black Girl,"" and ""Vietnam Sketch."" Philip Glass performs ""Rubric.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, Andy Breckman, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, Andy Breckman, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
5.4/10(86 votes)
#14 - Oprah Winfrey/Joe Jackson
S11:E144/12/1986
Sketches include ""Beat Her!,"" ""John Mellencamp,"" ""The Pat Stevens Show,"" ""Craig Sundberg, Idiot Savant,"" and ""One-Shoe Emma."" Joe Jackson performed ""Right or Wrong.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
4.8/10(79 votes)
#15 - Tony Danza/Laurie Anderson
S11:E154/19/1986
Live from New York, it's... Randy Quaid, Robert Downey Jr., and Anthony Michael Hall! Sketches include "Vietnam Horror Story," "Nancy Reagan's Workout," "Lyndon LaRouche Theatre," "The 30-Second Count," a guest performance by Penn & Teller, "Big Time Professional Golf," "My Unconditional Love," "Master Thespian," and "The Further Adventures Of Biff And Salena." Laurie Anderson performed "Baby Doll" and "Day The Devil."
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
6.2/10(83 votes)
#16 - Catherine Oxenberg & Paul Simon/Ladysmith Black Mambazo
S11:E165/10/1986
Live from New York, it's... Paul Simon! Sketches include "Geraldo Rivera Opens The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier," "Wall Shackles Prison," "The Late Show with Joan Rivers," "The Limits Of The Imagination," "Dirk Landers, CIA Operative," a guest performance by Penn & Teller, "Producer Tommy Flanagan," "Brim Decaffeinated," "A Mother's Day Message," and "Trojans." Paul Simon performed "You Can Call Me Al," "Homeless" with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and "Graceland."
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder
5.4/10(78 votes)
#17 - Jimmy Breslin & Marvin Hagler/Level 42, E.G. Daily
S11:E175/17/1986
Sketches are ""Mike 'The Menace' Hall,"" ""Kill Kaddafi?"" ""Tornadoville,"" ""Marvin's Knockout Tips,"" ""Lone Wolf McCord,"" ""The Pat Stevens,"" ""Cabrini Green's Assembly,"" ""Jody Hagler,"" ""Midday with Jennifer Hicks: Bond's Supervillains"", ""Weekend Update with Dennis Miller"", ""Sam Kinison's standup act"". Level 42 performs ""Something About You"" and EG Daily performs ""Say It, Say It"" with Jon Lovitz.
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder, Timothy Stack
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder, Timothy Stack
6.1/10(90 votes)
#18 - Anjelica Huston & Billy Martin/George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic
S11:E185/24/1986
Live from New York, it's...Randy Quaid Sketches include: Hands Across America, Moments of Doubt, Glamorous Drinking, National Council of Liquor and Spirits, Actors on Film, Hallmark Cards, Lesbian Pick-Ups, Bocce Ball My Way, Tempting Billy, The People's Second Choice Award, Book Minute, LaBelles At The Movies, My Friend, and Backstage SNL: Lorne Kills The Cast (except for Jon Lovitz, Nora Dunn, and Dennis Miller) George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic perform: ""Let's Take It To The Stage"" and ""Do Fries Go With That Shake""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder, Timothy Stack
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Directors:Dave Wilson, Dan Perri
Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, John Swartzwelder, Timothy Stack

Season 11 Ratings Summary

"Madonna/Simple Minds" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 11. It scored 6.1/10 based on 105 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson, Matthew Meshekoff, James Signorelli, John Fox, Robert Leacock and written by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Terry Sweeney, A. Whitney Brown, Lanier Laney, Carol Leifer, George Meyer, Richard Rosen, Suzy Schneider, John Swartzwelder, it aired on 11/9/1985. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Chevy Chase/Sheila E.".