Saturday Night Live backdrop
Comedy•News

The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 17

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 17 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 17!

Binge this in 22h 20m•Peaking at 7.6/10

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

Seasons52

All12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 6 - Linda Hamilton/Mariah Carey
    7.6/10(122 votes)

    S17:E6

    Sketches include ""Weekend Update Special Report,"" ""Toonces, the Cat Who Can Drive a Car,"" ""It's Pat,"" ""Annoying Double Date,"" and ""The Chris Farley Show.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 9 - Steve Martin/James Taylor
    7.6/10(119 votes)

    S17:E9

    Sketches include ""Steve Martin Decides to Try,"" ""Theatre Stories,"" ""The Dark Side with Nat X,"" and ""Tarzan, Chris Farley, & Frankenstein.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Peter Corbett
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 1 - Michael Jordan/Public Enemy
    7.5/10(153 votes)

    S17:E1

    Sketches include ""Wayne's World,"" ""Schmitt's Gay Beer,"" ""The First Black Harlem Globetrotter,"" ""Superfans,"" ""The Dark Side With Nat X,"" ""Zoraida""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Peter Corbett
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 4 - Christian Slater/Bonnie Raitt
    7.4/10(103 votes)

    S17:E4

    Sketches include: Coldcock Malt Liquor, Dysfunctional Family Feud, The Wolf Man's Curse, Pumping Up With Hans and Franz, Nich-Aid Hair Dryers, Super Fire-Hot Chicken Wings, and Club Banana.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 13 - Jason Priestley/Teenage Fan Club
    7.4/10(101 votes)

    S17:E13

    Sketches include ""Olympic Skating,"" ""The Life and Times of Johnny Hildo,"" ""Sprockets,"" ""The Arsenio Hall Show,"" and ""Beverly Hills 90210"".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 17 - Sharon Stone/Pearl Jam
    7.4/10(122 votes)

    S17:E17

    Live from New York, it's Al Franken! Sketches include "Bill Clinton and Jerry Brown," "Stand Up and Win," and "Make You Think," "Lank Thompson's I'm a Handsome Black Man," and "Superman on Talk Radio."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, Steve Koren, Fred Wolf

    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 17 Episode 7 - Macaulay Culkin/Tin Machine
    7.3/10(122 votes)

    S17:E7

    Sketches include ""Macaulay Culkin Gets Permission to Host,"" ""Superfans,"" ""Richmeister,"" and ""Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 14 - Roseanne Arnold & Tom Arnold/Red Hot Chili Peppers
    7.3/10(130 votes)

    S17:E14

    Sketches include ""Message To Bush,"" ""Coffee Talk,"" ""A Star Is Born '92,"" ""Daily Affirmation,"" ""New Triple-Delta Sister,"" ""Dick Clark's Snotty Receptionist"", ""Tall Tales of the Recession: The Fast-Firing CEO"". The Peppers perform ""Stone Cold Bush.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, Steve Koren

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 15 - John Goodman/Garth Brooks
    7.3/10(91 votes)

    S17:E15

    Sketches include "The McLaughlin Group" and "Lisa Pograsic, Very Pregnant Undercover Cop".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, Steve Koren

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 5 - Kiefer Sutherland/Skid Row
    7.2/10(96 votes)

    S17:E5

    Sketches Include: Testifying for the Kennedys - The defense is picking members for the jury supporting Ted Kennedy. Campaign '92 - Democratic ""unhopefuls"" try not to become the candidate that loses to Bush. Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley - Stuart invites his cousin, Leon, to the show. Leon has a show which is much better than Stuart's, and Stuart is jealous, rendering an affirmation. Kiddie Metal - Guns 'n' Roses record a punk rock kids' song album. The Scottish Store - A small-town Scottish store owner is reunited with his estranged brother, and they fight on and off, while still kicking out people who don't ""think"" Scottish. Phone Illiteracy - A man who wants to talk to someone has his friend do it for him. Strange? The first man is phone illiterate. It's a dangerous thing...?

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 10 - Rob Morrow/Nirvana
    7.2/10(113 votes)

    S17:E10

    Sketches include ""Oliver Stone,"" ""It's Pat,"" ""Delta Delta Delta Girls,"" ""Chris Rock's Guide to Surviving the Apollo,"" and ""Awkward Conversation.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 12 - Susan Dey/C+C Music Factory
    7.1/10(87 votes)

    S17:E12

    Sketches include ""Richmeister on L.A. Law,"" ""Mike Tyson Trial,"" ""Partridge Family vs. Brady Bunch,"" ""The Sensitive Naked Man,"" and ""Janitor/Executive Irony"".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 18 - Jerry Seinfeld/Annie Lennox
    7.1/10(121 votes)

    S17:E18

    Sketches include ""Ross Perot,"" ""Sabra Price is Right,"" ""The Guy Who Plays Mr. Belvedere Fan Club,"" ""Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey,"" and ""She Turned Into Her Mother""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Larry David, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, Steve Koren, Fred Wolf, Larry Charles, Ian Maxtone-Graham

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 19 - Tom Hanks/Bruce Springsteen
    7.1/10(105 votes)

    S17:E19

    Sketches include ""Johnny Carson's Last Episode,"" ""Action Cats,"" ""Take Off Your Shirt,"" ""Jon Lovitz's Dangerous Mother,"" ""Deep Thoughts,"" ""Frank Gannon: Politically Incorrect Police Investigator,"" ""Triple-Delta Girls,"" ""Cowboy Song,"" and ""The Sensitive Naked Man."" Vanessa Williams performs ""Save The Best For Last.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, Steve Koren, Fred Wolf, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Jeremiah Bosgang

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 2 - Jeff Daniels/Color Me Badd
    7.0/10(103 votes)

    S17:E2

    ""Johnny Carson's Tonight Show: The 29th and Final Anniversary"", ""Earthies, the Bountiful Diaper Commercial (From Dell Monty)"", ""The Richmeister Vs. The Name Singing Guy"", ""The Chris Farley Show"", ""Community College Bowl"", ""Apex Novelty Guy gets fired for designing bad quality rubber vomit""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, Steve Koren, Fred Wolf

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 20 - Woody Harrelson/Vanessa Williams
    7.0/10(88 votes)

    S17:E20

    Sketches include ""Johnny Carson's Last Episode,"" ""Action Cats,"" ""Take Off Your Shirt,"" ""Jon Lovitz's Dangerous Mother,"" ""Deep Thoughts,"" ""Frank Gannon: Politically Incorrect Police Investigator,"" ""Triple-Delta Girls,"" ""Cowboy Song,"" and ""The Sensitive Naked Man."" Vanessa Williams performs ""Save The Best For Last.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, Steve Koren, Fred Wolf, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Jeremiah Bosgang

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 3 - Kirstie Alley/Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    6.6/10(104 votes)

    S17:E3

    Sketches include ""Judge Clarence Thomas,"" ""Cantore,"" ""Coffee Talk with Linda Richman,"" ""It's Pat,"" and ""Look Who Else is Talking Also.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, David Griffiths
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 11 - Chevy Chase/Robbie Robertson & Bruce Hornsby
    6.6/10(92 votes)

    S17:E11

    Live from New York, it's Mike Myers and Dana Carvey! Sketches include "Wayne's World's Top Ten Reasons We're Bummed Communism Fell," "Love Toilet," "Adopt-a-Pet," "Bob Swerski's Quiz Masters," "Van Morrison Concert," and "Are You All Right?" Robbie Robertson sings Go Back To Your Woods and The Weight.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 16 - Mary Stuart Masterson/En Vogue
    6.2/10(82 votes)

    S17:E16

    Live from New York, it's... Mike Myers and Dana Carvey! Sketches include "Wayne's World," "Jiffy Pop Airbag," "Hitting on a Women," "Sex Games," "Flippy, The Flipping Chihuahua," "Lung Brush," "Pat's Interrogation," "Airport Security Check," "Ernie's," "Tayster's Choice Spermicidal Jelly," "Phil Hartman Creations," and "Pornographic Romance." Pearl Jam performed "Alive" and "Porch."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, Steve Koren, Fred Wolf

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 8 - Hammer
    5.1/10(87 votes)

    S17:E8

    Live from New York, it's ... Dana Carvey! Sketches include "Bush's Gift Ideas," "Bad Haircut Support Group," "The Daily Star," "Tales From The Barbecue," "Johnny Letter," "Deep Thoughts," "Remembrances of Love," and "Dick Clark Productions." Hammer performs "Too Legit To Quit," "Addams Groove," and "This is the Way We Roll."

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 17 Ratings Summary

"Linda Hamilton/Mariah Carey" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 17. It scored 7.6/10 based on 122 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli and written by Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Robert Smigel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, it aired on 11/16/1991. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Steve Martin/James Taylor".