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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 23

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 23 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 23!

Binge this in 22h 20m•Peaking at 7.3/10

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 23 Episode 1 - Sylvester Stallone/Jamiroquai
    7.2/10(110 votes)

    #1 - Sylvester Stallone/Jamiroquai

    S23:E1

    Sketches include ""Oprah's Book Club,"" ""Rita Delvechio,"" ""Car Accident with Sylvester Stallone,"" ""Roxbury Guys,"" ""Janet Reno,"" ""Computer Store,"" ""Planet Hollywood,"" and ""Lou's Lovely Daughters.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michelle Saks Smigel, Michael McCullers

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 2 - Matthew Perry/Oasis
    6.5/10(115 votes)

    #2 - Matthew Perry/Oasis

    S23:E2

    Sketches include ""Spartan Cheerleaders,"" ""Celebrity Jeopardy,"" ""Sarcasm 101,"" ""The Ladies' Man,"" ""Space the Infinite Frontier with Harry Caray,"" ""Goat Boy,"" ""Friends,"" and ""Good Morning with Liza.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers, Andrew Hill Newman

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 3 - Brendan Fraser/Bjork
    5.8/10(114 votes)

    #3 - Brendan Fraser/Bjork

    S23:E3

    Sketches include ""Janet Reno,"" ""Xena: Warrior Princess,"" ""Issues,"" ""Delicious Dish,"" ""Crazy Lady Gets Prescription Filled,"" and ""Mango.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 4 - Chris Farley/The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
    7.0/10(130 votes)

    #4 - Chris Farley/The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

    S23:E4

    Sketches include ""Farley Gets Permission to Host,"" ""Morning Latte,"" ""Mary Katherine Gallagher,"" ""Matt Foley: Motivational Speaker,"" ""Goth Talk,"" ""The Sally Show,"" ""Monday Night Football Song,"" ""Superfans,"" and ""El Niño.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Al Franken, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Steve Koren, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 5 - Jon Lovitz/Jane's Addiction
    6.1/10(90 votes)

    #5 - Jon Lovitz/Jane's Addiction

    S23:E5

    Sketches include ""Rival Billionaires,"" ""Fred the Baker,"" ""Larry King's Wedding,"" ""Win a Year with Jewel,"" ""The Ladies' Man,"" ""The Late Show with David Letterman,"" and ""The Robin Byrd Show,"" and ""Save Our Nanny."" Jane's Addiction performs ""Jane Says.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 6 - Claire Danes/Mariah Carey
    5.5/10(103 votes)

    #6 - Claire Danes/Mariah Carey

    S23:E6

    Sketches include ""Bill and Hillary Clinton,"" ""Barry Scheck's Apartment,"" ""The View,"" ""The Culps,"" ""Peter Pan,"" ""Mr. Peepers,"" ""CEO Dreamboats Magazine,"" and ""The Louvre.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, J.J. Sedelmaier, Michael Wetterhahn
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Stephen Colbert, Michael McCullers

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 7 - Rudy Giuliani/Sarah McLachlan
    6.0/10(91 votes)

    #7 - Rudy Giuliani/Sarah McLachlan

    S23:E7

    Sketches include ""Rudy Giuliani and Colin Quinn,"" ""Nightline with Saddam Hussein,"" ""Rita Delvechio,"" ""Mary Katherine Gallagher,"" ""The Joe Pesci Show,"" ""Friggin' Giuliani,"" ""Janet Reno's Dance Party,"" ""Colin Quinn Explains the New York Times,"" and ""Perspectives.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers, Jon Glaser

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 8 - Nathan Lane/Metallica
    6.3/10(86 votes)

    #8 - Nathan Lane/Metallica

    S23:E8

    Sketches include ""Well Babies Tragedy,"" ""Spartan Cheerleaders,"" ""The Quiet Storm,"" ""Sister Wendy Beckett's Art Odyssey,"" ""The History of Vaudeville,"" ""Vance and Miss Milo,"" and ""Santa Claus the Ex-Convict.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Adam Sandler, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 9 - Helen Hunt/Hanson
    6.2/10(105 votes)

    #9 - Helen Hunt/Hanson

    S23:E9

    Sketches include ""The Culps,"" ""Delicious Dish,"" ""The Ladies' Man,"" ""Baseball Wish,"" ""Roxbury Guys,"" ""Joan Rivers,"" ""Burt Renolds Christmas,"" ""ChristmaSoft with Bill Gates,"" and ""Hanson in an Elevator.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster, David Wachtenheim
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Steve Koren, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michelle Saks Smigel, Michael McCullers, Louis C.K.

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 10 - Samuel L. Jackson/Ben Folds Five
    7.3/10(86 votes)

    #10 - Samuel L. Jackson/Ben Folds Five

    S23:E10

    Live From New York, it's...Darrell Hammond Sketches include: The Clinton Movie, Lemon Glow, Publisher's Clearing House Go To The Ghetto, Quentin Tarantino's ""Pulp Fiction"" Auditions, Jazzterpieces, Judge Judy, TV Funhouse: George Clooney's ""Speed Racer"", Black People on the Titanic, Mango and Monroe, The Weston Collection, The Learning Annex, and The Playboy Channel Ben Folds Five performs: ""Brick""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, J.J. Sedelmaier
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Steve Koren, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 11 - Sarah Michelle Gellar/Portishead
    6.1/10(108 votes)

    #11 - Sarah Michelle Gellar/Portishead

    S23:E11

    Sketches include ""Ted Kazinsky,"" ""The View,"" ""John Gray's Inspirational Tapes,"" ""Dysfunctional Family Argues Over Dinner,"" ""CBS World of Sports,"" ""Goth Talk,"" ""The Robin Byrd Show,"" and ""The Tiger Beat Ultra Super Duper Dreamy Love Show.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 12 - John Goodman/Paula Cole
    6.0/10(83 votes)

    #12 - John Goodman/Paula Cole

    S23:E12

    Sketches include ""Linda Tripp and Monica Lewinsky,"" ""Morning Latte,"" ""The Ten Commandments with Bill Clinton,"" ""CBS Olympics,"" ""Emeril Live,"" ""Judge Judy,"" ""Martha Stewart,"" ""Sabado Chistoso,"" ""When Cobras Attack,"" and ""Storytellers with Neil Diamond.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers, Michael Schur

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 13 - Roma Downey/Missy Elliot
    5.6/10(73 votes)

    #13 - Roma Downey/Missy Elliot

    S23:E13

    Sketches include ""Nightline,"" ""The Culps,"" ""Press Conference with Catherine II,"" ""Martha Stewart Living,"" ""CBS Olympics,"" ""Riding My Donkey: Political Talk Show,"" ""Fran,"" ""The Ladies' Man,"" and ""Lou's Lovely Daughters.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers, Michael Schur

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 14 - Garth Brooks
    6.5/10(91 votes)

    #14 - Garth Brooks

    S23:E14

    Sketches include ""Larry King Live,"" ""Mary Katherine Gallagher,"" ""The Celine Dion Show,"" ""Party of Five,"" ""Re-Enactment Awards,"" ""Spartan Cheerleaders,"" ""Issues,"" and ""College Singers.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers, Michael Schur

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 15 - Scott Wolf/Natalie Imbruglia
    5.1/10(74 votes)

    #15 - Scott Wolf/Natalie Imbruglia

    S23:E15

    Sketches include ""Titanic,"" ""Delicious Dish,"" ""The Ladies' Man,"" ""Barbara Walters,"" ""TV Funhouse: Conspiracy Theory Rock"", ""Pretty Living,"" ""Terrence Maddox in Art Class,"" ""Liza,"" and ""Shirtless Bible Salesman."" The NBC and syndicated reruns of this episode do not have the TV Funhouse: Conspiracy Theory Rock cartoon.

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers, Michael Schur

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 16 - Julianne Moore/Backstreet Boys
    5.7/10(90 votes)

    #16 - Julianne Moore/Backstreet Boys

    S23:E16

    Sketches include ""Viewers Choose Clinton Coverage,"" ""Alice in Wonderland,"" ""Morning Latte,"" ""Goth Talk,"" ""Stuff We Made,"" ""Judge Judy,"" ""Job Interviews,"" and ""I Took a Gay Guy to the Prom.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, David Wachtenheim
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers, Michael Schur, Mike Reynolds

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 17 - Steve Buscemi/Third Eye Blind
    6.7/10(134 votes)

    #17 - Steve Buscemi/Third Eye Blind

    S23:E17

    Sketches include ""Martha Stewart,"" ""Name That Dog!,"" ""The Culps,"" ""Restaurant,"" ""House of Dogs,"" ""Nightline,"" ""Pirate Ship,"" and ""The Robin Byrd Show.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, David Wachtenheim
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michelle Saks Smigel, Michael McCullers, Michael Schur, Hal Willner

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 18 - Greg Kinnear/All Saints
    5.7/10(79 votes)

    #18 - Greg Kinnear/All Saints

    S23:E18

    Sketches include ""The Ladies' Man,"" ""The View,"" ""The Zimmermans,"" ""Pretty Living,"" ""The Celine Dion Show,"" ""Prime Minister's Questions,"" ""Limousine Rides,"" and ""Comic Minds.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers, Michael Schur, Mike Reynolds

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 19 - Matthew Broderick/Natalie Merchant
    5.9/10(92 votes)

    #19 - Matthew Broderick/Natalie Merchant

    S23:E19

    Sketches include ""Janet Reno,"" ""Spartan Cheerleaders,"" ""Celebrity Jeopardy,"" ""Mango,"" ""Oprah Meets Goat Boy,"" and ""To the Moon and Back.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael McCullers, Michael Schur

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 23 Episode 20 - David Duchovny/Puff Daddy & Jimmy Page
    5.7/10(120 votes)

    #20 - David Duchovny/Puff Daddy & Jimmy Page

    S23:E20

    Sketches include ""Janet Reno,"" ""Spartan Cheerleaders,"" ""Celebrity Jeopardy,"" ""Mango,"" ""Oprah Meets Goat Boy,"" and ""To the Moon and Back.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster, J.J. Sedelmaier, Robert Marianetti
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Stephen Colbert, Michael McCullers, Michael Schur, Bill Chott

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Season 23 Ratings Summary

"Sylvester Stallone/Jamiroquai" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 23. It scored 7.2/10 based on 110 votes. Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and written by Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Ross Abrash, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Tom Gianas, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michelle Saks Smigel, Michael McCullers, it aired on 9/27/1997. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "Matthew Perry/Oasis".