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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 7.8/10

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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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 1 - Michael Jordan/Public Enemy
    7.5/10(177 votes)

    #1 - Michael Jordan/Public Enemy

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

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 2 - Jeff Daniels/Color Me Badd
    7.0/10(101 votes)

    #2 - Jeff Daniels/Color Me Badd

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

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 3 - Kirstie Alley/Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    6.6/10(99 votes)

    #3 - Kirstie Alley/Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

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

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 4 - Christian Slater/Bonnie Raitt
    7.4/10(100 votes)

    #4 - Christian Slater/Bonnie Raitt

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

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

    #5 - Kiefer Sutherland/Skid Row

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

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 6 - Linda Hamilton/Mariah Carey
    7.8/10(119 votes)

    #6 - Linda Hamilton/Mariah Carey

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

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 7 - Macaulay Culkin/Tin Machine
    7.4/10(121 votes)

    #7 - Macaulay Culkin/Tin Machine

    S17:E7

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

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

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 8 - Hammer
    5.1/10(86 votes)

    #8 - Hammer

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

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 9 - Steve Martin/James Taylor
    7.7/10(115 votes)

    #9 - Steve Martin/James Taylor

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

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 10 - Rob Morrow/Nirvana
    7.2/10(110 votes)

    #10 - Rob Morrow/Nirvana

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

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 11 - Chevy Chase/Robbie Robertson & Bruce Hornsby
    6.6/10(90 votes)

    #11 - Chevy Chase/Robbie Robertson & Bruce Hornsby

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

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 12 - Susan Dey/C+C Music Factory
    7.2/10(86 votes)

    #12 - Susan Dey/C+C Music Factory

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

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 13 - Jason Priestley/Teenage Fan Club
    7.7/10(97 votes)

    #13 - Jason Priestley/Teenage Fan Club

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

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 14 - Roseanne Arnold & Tom Arnold/Red Hot Chili Peppers
    7.3/10(128 votes)

    #14 - Roseanne Arnold & Tom Arnold/Red Hot Chili Peppers

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

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 15 - John Goodman/Garth Brooks
    7.3/10(89 votes)

    #15 - John Goodman/Garth Brooks

    S17:E15

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

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

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 16 - Mary Stuart Masterson/En Vogue
    6.3/10(81 votes)

    #16 - Mary Stuart Masterson/En Vogue

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

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 17 - Sharon Stone/Pearl Jam
    7.5/10(118 votes)

    #17 - Sharon Stone/Pearl Jam

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

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 18 - Jerry Seinfeld/Annie Lennox
    7.1/10(118 votes)

    #18 - Jerry Seinfeld/Annie Lennox

    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:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, 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

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 19 - Tom Hanks/Bruce Springsteen
    7.3/10(100 votes)

    #19 - Tom Hanks/Bruce Springsteen

    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:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, 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

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 17 Episode 20 - Woody Harrelson/Vanessa Williams
    7.1/10(87 votes)

    #20 - Woody Harrelson/Vanessa Williams

    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:Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, 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

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Season 17 Ratings Summary

"Michael Jordan/Public Enemy" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 17. It scored 7.5/10 based on 177 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson, Peter Corbett and written by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Dan McGrath, Warren Hutcherson, it aired on 9/28/1991. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "Jeff Daniels/Color Me Badd".