Saturday Night Live backdrop
Comedy•News

The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 16

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 16 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 16!

Binge this in 22h 20m•Peaking at 7.9/10

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

Airs on
NBC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons51

All123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 1 - Kyle MacLachlan/Sinead O'Connor
    7.4/10(134 votes)

    #1 - Kyle MacLachlan/Sinead O'Connor

    S16:E1

    Sketches include ""George Bush,"" ""Sprockets,"" ""Twin Peaks,"" ""Luther Campbell,"" ""All Things Scottish,"" and ""Frank Sinatra and George Michael"".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 2 - Susan Lucci/Hothouse Flowers
    6.5/10(95 votes)

    #2 - Susan Lucci/Hothouse Flowers

    S16:E2

    Sketches include ""Victor Kiam's Classic Bitch and Lezbo Shavers,"" ""All My Luggage,"" ""Great Love Stories,"" ""Game Breakers,"" and ""Her First Period"".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 3 - George Steinbrenner/The Time
    6.3/10(96 votes)

    #3 - George Steinbrenner/The Time

    S16:E3

    Sketches include ""Kevin Nealon, Victoria Jackson, and George Steinbrenner,"" ""Middle-Aged Man,"" ""Ultra Slim Fast Commercial Parody,"" ""Winston-McCauley Funeral Homes,"" ""Carl's Quick Stop,"" ""What Was I Thinking?""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 4 - Patrick Swayze/Mariah Carey
    7.9/10(146 votes)

    #4 - Patrick Swayze/Mariah Carey

    S16:E4

    Sketches include ""Dirty Square Dancing,"" ""Pumping Up With Hanz and Franz,"" ""Ghost 2,"" ""Super Feud,"" ""Chippendales Auditions,"" ""The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,"" ""White Trash Bed and Breakfast,"" and ""Mouse Trap Seminar"".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 5 - Jimmy Smits/World Party
    5.9/10(89 votes)

    #5 - Jimmy Smits/World Party

    S16:E5

    Sketches include ""George Bush,"" ""Chia Head,"" ""Game Challengers,"" ""NBC News Employees,"" ""Simon,"" ""Date With a Ditz,"" ""The Dark Side With Nat X,"" ""Two-Faced Doormen,"" ""Mobile Home,"" and ""Verbal Reversals"".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 6 - Dennis Hopper/Paul Simon
    6.2/10(85 votes)

    #6 - Dennis Hopper/Paul Simon

    S16:E6

    Sketches include ""Live With Regis and Kathie Lee,"" ""Nikey Turkey,"" ""Toonces,"" ""Inflatable Dolls,"" ""Liason Mocking,"" ""The Civil War,"" ""What Animal Were You Raised By?"", ""Schillervision,"" and ""Gambling to Win"".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

    READ
  7. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 7 - John Goodman/Faith No More
    7.0/10(128 votes)

    #7 - John Goodman/Faith No More

    S16:E7

    Sketches include ""Church Chat,"" ""The McLaughlin Group,"" ""Mick Jagger's Wedding,"" ""Wayne's World,"" ""It's Pat,"" ""Davy Crockett""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 8 - Tom Hanks/Edie Brickell and New Bohemians
    7.1/10(131 votes)

    #8 - Tom Hanks/Edie Brickell and New Bohemians

    S16:E8

    Live From New York, it's...Kevin Nealon (and hosting for the fifth time, it's Tom Hanks!) Sketches include: Mr. Subliminal's Editorial Reply, Tom Hanks Joins The Five-Timers Club, The Gross-Out Family, Game Beaters, The Global Warming Christmas Special, P. Whipped, Sabra Shopping Network, Double-Takes, and The Christmas Tree Story Edie Brickell and New Bohemians perform: ""Woyaho"" and ""He Said""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 9 - Dennis Quaid/Neville Brothers
    5.8/10(95 votes)

    #9 - Dennis Quaid/Neville Brothers

    S16:E9

    Sketches include ""George Bush,"" ""Dysfunctional Family Christmas,"" ""Sally Jessy Raphael,"" ""Family Loves Ex-Boyfriend,"" ""Massage Students,"" ""Renegade,"" ""Sprockets,"" ""Schillervision Theatre,"" and ""The Specialty Songs Of Cal McLane, Jr.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 10 - Joe Mantegna/Vanilla Ice
    6.3/10(94 votes)

    #10 - Joe Mantegna/Vanilla Ice

    S16:E10

    Sketches include ""Godfather Bush,"" ""New York Radio,"" ""Nightline,"" ""Officer Miller,"" ""I'm Chillin',"" ""Complaint Letter,"" ""Superfans,"" ""Insane Inventors,"" and ""Eddie O'Hanlon Funeral"".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 11 - Sting
    6.6/10(104 votes)

    #11 - Sting

    S16:E11

    Sketches include ""Wayne's World,"" ""Hedley and Wyche,"" ""Sting in an Elevator,"" ""The Sinatra Group,"" ""The Richmeister,"" ""Frankenstein,"" ""Coffee Talk with Paul Baldwin,"" ""Meeting Parents Flashback,"" ""Bleak Poetry""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 12 - Kevin Bacon/INXS
    6.5/10(95 votes)

    #12 - Kevin Bacon/INXS

    S16:E12

    Live from New York, it's…Kevin Nealon! But is he or NBC or CNN? That's SNL's trick op their sleeve with the ""Gulf War Briefing."" Among the domestic sketches are ""Richmeister #2.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 13 - Roseanne Barr/Dee-Lite
    6.3/10(101 votes)

    #13 - Roseanne Barr/Dee-Lite

    S16:E13

    Sketches include ""Mr. Subliminal's War Press Conference,"" Misery II, the game show parody Comedy Killers, ""Victoria's Secrets"" and ""White Trash History Minute.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 14 - Alec Baldwin/Whitney Houston
    6.7/10(122 votes)

    #14 - Alec Baldwin/Whitney Houston

    S16:E14

    Live From New York, it's...Dana Carvey Sketches include: The McLaughlin Group, The Dancer, The Honest Planet, The Sinead O'Connor Awards, Lank Thompson: I'm A Handsome Actor, Pan Am, The Godfather IV, I'm Chillin', Confession Can Be Exciting For The Soul, and Cyrano De Bergerac Whitney Houston performs: ""I'm Your Baby Tonight"" and ""All The Man I Need""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 15 - Michael J. Fox/The Black Crowes
    6.3/10(103 votes)

    #15 - Michael J. Fox/The Black Crowes

    S16:E15

    Sketches include--""Another Post-Desert Storm Speech"",""America's Most Wanted"",""Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smally"" and ""Michael J. Fox Fanatics"".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 16 - Jeremy Irons/Fishbone
    6.4/10(90 votes)

    #16 - Jeremy Irons/Fishbone

    S16:E16

    Sketches include ""Pumping Up with Hans and Franz,"" ""Richmeister,"" ""Wayne's World,"" ""Sherlock Holmes,"" ""McIntosh Jr. Commercial: The Power To Crush Other Kids"", ""Weekend Update with Dennis Miller"", ""Football Days by Jack Handey"".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 17 - Catherine O'Hara/R.E.M.
    6.3/10(91 votes)

    #17 - Catherine O'Hara/R.E.M.

    S16:E17

    Sketches include ""Frank and Nancy Sinatra,"" ""It's Pat,"" ""The Justice League of America,"" ""Frank Gannon, P.I. P.I.,"" ""In Conclusion Theater,"" ""Daily Affirmation With Stuart Smalley,"" and ""Wedding Dress to Funeral"".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin, Dan McGrath

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 18 - Steven Seagal/Michael Bolton
    5.4/10(126 votes)

    #18 - Steven Seagal/Michael Bolton

    S16:E18

    Sketches include ""Pumping Up with Hans and Franz,"" ""Nico Tenelli,"" ""The Dark Side with Nat X,"" ""Musicians For Free Range Chickens,"" ""Date Intimidation""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin, Dan McGrath

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 19 - Delta Burke/Chris Isaak
    5.5/10(84 votes)

    #19 - Delta Burke/Chris Isaak

    S16:E19

    Sketches include: Balz-Off, Hollywood Minute, Deep Thoughts, The Weight Watchers Meeting, Wayne's World, A Message From The President, Yelling At Your Kids, and Karaoke Hog

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli, Tim Boxell
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin, Dan McGrath, Mark Nutter

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Saturday Night Live Season 16 Episode 20 - George Wendt/Elvis Costello
    6.3/10(99 votes)

    #20 - George Wendt/Elvis Costello

    S16:E20

    Sketches include ""Dennis Miller is Nervous,"" ""Da Superfans,"" ""Mr. No Depth Perception,"" ""Pat Gets a Haircut,"" ""Doo-Wop,"" ""Deep Thoughts,"" ""Burger Barn,"" ""Li'l General Fireworks,"" and ""The Sunrise Show.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Andy Robin, Dan McGrath, Mark Nutter, Dennis Miller

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 16 Ratings Summary

"Kyle MacLachlan/Sinead O'Connor" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 16. It scored 7.4/10 based on 134 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli and written by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Conan O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, David Spade, it aired on 9/29/1990. This episode is rated 0.9 points higher than the second-best, "Susan Lucci/Hothouse Flowers".