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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 24

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 24 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 24!

Binge this in 21h 13m•Peaking at 7.4/10

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 24 Episode 3 - Lucy Lawless/Elliott Smith
    7.4/10(105 votes)

    S24:E3

    Sketches include ""Republicans Plan for the Future,"" ""Judge Judy,"" ""History of Presidential Scandals,"" ""The White House,"" ""Stevie Nicks,"" ""Antonia Banderas,"" ""A&E Biography: Sean ""Puffy"" Combs,"" ""Terrance Maddox,"" ""Goth Talk,"" and ""The Culps.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Matt Graham, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 9 - Alec Baldwin/Luciano Pavarotti & Vanessa Williams
    7.3/10(120 votes)

    S24:E9

    Sketches include ""A Message From The President,"" ""Morning Latte,"" ""Six-Year-Old Cassidy,"" ""Delicious Dish,"" ""Bill Clinton's Impeachment Hearings,"" ""10-10-1776-5-28-1830-242-3-316-68-22"", ""TV Funhouse: The Harlem Globetrotters"", and ""Talkin' About Bill Brasky.""

    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, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese, Dave Allen, David Reynolds

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 1 - Cameron Diaz/Smashing Pumpkins
    6.9/10(110 votes)

    S24:E1

    Live from New York, it's...Tim Meadows Sketches include ""Oprah 2002: Clinton Scandal Reunion,"" ""MasterCard"", ""Oops! I Crapped My Pants"", ""SNL: The Best of the First 20 Minutes"", ""The View,"" ""The Ladies' Man,"" ""TV Funhouse: Clinton Scandal Outtakes"", ""Gap I: Bill Clinton"", ""Gap II: Hillary Clinton"", ""Gap III: Kenneth Starr"", ""The New Hollywood Squares,"" ""Roxbury Guys Meets The Fenstruk Brothers,"" ""Bad Witch's Brew,"" ""Maakies: The Suicidal Crow"", ""A Message From The Spice Girls"", and ""Jingleheimer Junction."" Smashing Pumpkins perform: ""Perfect""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster, J.J. Sedelmaier, David Wachtenheim, Mark Alt
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Matt Graham, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Millionaire

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 16 - Drew Barrymore/Garbage
    6.7/10(93 votes)

    S24:E16

    Sketches include ""E! Oscar Pre-Show,"" ""Celebrity Jeopardy,"" ""Banana Republic,"" ""Antonio Banderas,"" ""Dog Show,"" and ""Terence Maddox.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese, Tony Daro

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 19 - Sarah Michelle Gellar/Backstreet Boys
    6.6/10(129 votes)

    S24:E19

    Live From New York, it's...Will Ferrell (in a bald cap) and Ana Gasteyer Sketches include ""The Culps At A Graduation Ceremony,"" ""The Tiger Beat Ultra Super Dreamy Love Show,"" ""The Zimmermans' Summer Cabin,"" ""Get On The Bag!,"" ""TV Funhouse: The Ginsburg Gang"", ""MTV's Shame Attack,"" ""Channel 5's Sunday Matinee: Dusty's Love,"" ""Nickelodeon Press Conference,"" ""Holding Your Own Boobs Magazine"", and ""Brian Fellow's Safari Planet."" Backstreet Boys perform: ""I Want It That Way"" and ""All I Have To Give""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Sean Lattrell
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese, Tony Daro, Brian Reich

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 10 - Bill Paxton/Beck
    6.4/10(101 votes)

    S24:E10

    Sketches include ""Gingrich and Livingston,"" ""The View,"" ""The Culps,"" ""Titanic Lost Ending,"" ""Fat Albert,"" ""NewsForce,"" ""Postal Services,"" ""Fantastic Voyage,"" and ""Extreme Hunting.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 13 - Brendan Fraser/Busta Rhymes
    6.4/10(99 votes)

    S24:E13

    Sketches include ""Linda Tripp Interview,"" ""Judge Judy,"" ""Bioflex"", ""Turn On The Ozzie,"" ""TV Funhouse: Jewel's Poetry"", ""The Zimmermans,"" ""You're A Champion, Charlie Brown,"" ""The Food Network: Two Fat Ladies,"" and ""Male Prostitute Meets Carrie, The Old Navy Lady."" Busta Rhymes (with special guest, The Roots) performs: ""Gimmie Some More"" and ""Tear The Roof Off""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 4 - Ben Stiller/Alanis Morissette
    6.3/10(100 votes)

    S24:E4

    Live from New York, it's...Ben Stiller (falling off the roof of 30 Rock) Sketches include: Lorne Michaels Fights Ben Stiller, Celebrity Jeopardy, Pretty Living, TV Funhouse: Hete-Roy, The Zimmermans' Halloween Party, Real Stories of the Highway Patrol, Still Living With His Parents, Steve Wynn's Bellagio Hotel and Casino, and Cointreau/Mason Alanis Morrissette performs: Thank U and Baba

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, J.J. Sedelmaier
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Matt Graham, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 12 - Gwyneth Paltrow/Barenaked Ladies
    6.3/10(101 votes)

    S24:E12

    Live From New York, it's Gloating Time (by Darrell Hammond) Sketches include ""A Message From Bill Clinton,"" ""E!'s Impeachment Coverage,"" ""Mary Katherine Gallagher Joins The Black Angels,"" ""Mindy and Skye At A Hippie Bar,"" ""Healey Family Voices,"" ""TV Funhouse: The X-Presidents"", ""Behind The Music: Joan Jett,"" ""Behind The Music: John Oates"", ""Judge Rehnquist vs. the Partisan Issues"", ""A&E Biography"", ""Staten Island Nurses"", ""Behind The Music: Colin Hay"", and ""NBC Nightly News: Hardcore Rock."" Barenaked Ladies perform ""It's All Been Done""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Dave Lovelace
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Louis C.K., Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 17 - John Goodman/Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    6.1/10(87 votes)

    S24:E17

    Sketches include ""Bill Clinton,"" ""Arthur Dugan"" ""Shaun Mondavi Vineyards,"" ""Bobby Wraps it Up,"" ""Hello Dolly,"" ""Santa Clause,"" ""Happy Smile Patrol,"" and ""The Roadside Brothel.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese, Tony Daro

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 14 - Bill Murray/Lucinda Williams
    6.0/10(84 votes)

    S24:E14

    Live From New York, it's...The Ladies' Man Sketches include ""The Ladies' Man,"" ""The Yahtzee Party,"" ""Swill"" (rerun from season three), ""Male Knicks' City Dancers,"" ""The Quotable Caddyshack,"" ""Morning Latte,"" ""His Parents Were Eaten By Bears,"" ""The Third Eye Bookstore,"" and ""Steve Baxter, Hollywood Gynecologist."" Lucinda Williams performs: ""Can't Let Go"" and ""Too Cool To Be Forgotten""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese, Tony Daro

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 7 - Jennifer Love Hewitt/Beastie Boys
    5.9/10(117 votes)

    S24:E7

    Sketches include ""Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp,"" ""The Ladies' Man,"" ""Celine Dion,"" ""Antonio Banderas,"" ""Spartan Cheerleaders,"" ""Mary Katherine Gallagher,"" ""Let's Make it Happen,"" and ""Saddam Hussein.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, J.J. Sedelmaier
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michelle Saks Smigel, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 2 - Kelsey Grammer/Sheryl Crow
    5.8/10(95 votes)

    S24:E2

    Live from New York, it's...Darrell Hammond Sketches include ""Bedtime At The White House,"" ""KCF Shredders"", ""Maakies: The Mermaid Rat"", ""Delicious Dish,"" ""Big Bernard and His Father,"" ""Thinking About Burriots,"" ""Mr. Peepers In London,"" ""Morning Latte,"" ""Hello Dolly,"" ""The Best of Horatio Sanz/The Best of Dan Aykroyd"", ""Baywatch Director"", ""Terry Fergusen Campaign Commercial"" and ""ESPN2 Lumberjack Coverage."" Sheryl Crow performs: My Favorite Mistake

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Mark Alt
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Robert Smigel, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Matt Graham, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Millionaire

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 5 - David Spade/Eagle-Eye Cherry
    5.8/10(98 votes)

    S24:E5

    Sketches include ""David Spade In Therapy,"" ""The Mercury Mistress"", ""Accruing Equity and Making Hot Sweet Love"", ""Monica Lewinsky's Interview Auditions,"" ""The Sergeant,"" ""Mango,"" ""Happy Birthday Grandma,"" ""Felicity,"" ""Talk Radio with Dr. Laura Schlesinger,"" and ""Bachelor Party Rules"". Eagle Eye Cherry performs: ""Save Tonight""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 8 - Vince Vaughn/Lauryn Hill
    5.8/10(88 votes)

    S24:E8

    Sketches include ""House Judiciaries Oral Sexperts,"" ""Dog Show,"" ""Mr. Peepers,"" ""What Marriage is Like to Guys,"" ""John Lennon and Jerry Garcia Memorials,"" ""Exxon and Mobil Mergers,"" ""Norman Bates and His Mother,"" ""Pimp Chat,"" and ""Delco Cat Toys.""

    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, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese, Dave Allen

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 15 - Ray Romano/The Corrs
    5.8/10(81 votes)

    S24:E15

    Sketches include ""Barbara Walters,"" ""ESPN SportsCenter,"" ""Robert Benigni,"" ""Pimp Chat,"" ""Suel Forrester,"" ""Crying Office Guys,"" and ""Quit Judging My Dreams.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese, Tony Daro, Tom Caltabiano, Mike Royce

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 6 - Joan Allen/Jewel
    5.6/10(78 votes)

    S24:E6

    Sketches include ""Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich,"" ""VH1 Spirituality Awards,"" ""Suel,"" ""Space the Infinite Frontier with Harry Caray,"" ""Learning with Jennifer Tilly,"" ""New York is Great,"" and ""Tarmac Talk.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 11 - James Van Der Beek/Everlast
    5.5/10(83 votes)

    S24:E11

    Sketches include ""Clinton and Flynt,"" ""Spelling Bee Finals,"" ""7 Degrees Celsius,"" ""Dog Show,"" ""Harry Connick Jr.,"" ""The War Abroad and at Home,"" ""Frankenstein,"" and ""Maria and Anthony.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 24 Episode 18 - Cuba Gooding Jr./Ricky Martin
    4.6/10(101 votes)

    S24:E18

    Sketches include ""Bill Clinton,"" ""NBC Miniseries,"" ""Pretty Living,"" ""The Ladies' Man,"" and ""Mango.""

    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, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Stephen Colbert, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, T. Sean Shannon, Richard Francese, Tony Daro

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Season 24 Ratings Summary

"Lucy Lawless/Elliott Smith" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 24. It scored 7.4/10 based on 105 votes. Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and written by Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Lori Nasso, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, Steven Cragg, Matt Graham, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, it aired on 10/17/1998. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Alec Baldwin/Luciano Pavarotti & Vanessa Williams".