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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 26

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 26 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 26!

Binge this in 22h 20m•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 26 Episode 14 - Conan O'Brien/Don Henley
    7.4/10(133 votes)

    S26:E14

    Live from New York, it's...Will Ferrell Sketches include: Bush's Good Health, Subshack, The Boston Teens At The Liquor Store, Moleculo: The Molecular Man, Napster Testimony, Taint-less Ted, Find The Black People At The Knicks Game, VH-1 Diva-Thon, Democratic National Committee, and Sports Century: The White Boxer Don Henley performs: ""Everything is Different Now"" and ""Heart of the Matter"" (the second performance was cut on the NBC rerun and replaced with a DeMarco Bros. sketch where Chris Parnell, Chris Kattan, and Conan O'Brien audition for Don Henley)

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Jon Glaser, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 20 - Christopher Walken/Weezer
    7.3/10(111 votes)

    S26:E20

    Live From New York, it's...Darrell Hammond Sketches include ""A Message From Mayor Giuliani,"" ""Leon Loves Mango,"" ""Hardball,"" ""The Continental,"" ""Porch Lovers,"" ""Dirty Centaur Job Interview,"" ""TV Funhouse: The Anatominals/Lorne Michaels and The Devil"", ""Memorial Day Song"", and ""Badger Up The Boss's Butt"" Weezer performs: ""Hash Pipe"" and ""Island on the Sun""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, David Wachtenheim, Robert Marianetti
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Tom Davis, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 2 - Kate Hudson/Radiohead
    6.9/10(122 votes)

    S26:E2

    Live From New York, it's...Chris Parnell (again!) Sketches include "The Second Presidential Debate", "College Girl's Wild Spring Break", "TV Funhouse: The X-Presidents", "Inside The Actor's Studio: Drew Barrymore", "The Boston Teens Meet Nomar", "Meet The Press", "Japanese Laverne and Shirley (Rabun to Shuri)", and "Vote Sober 2000". Radiohead performs: "The National Anthem" and "Idioteque".

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 18 - Pierce Brosnan/Destiny's Child
    6.7/10(104 votes)

    S26:E18

    Sketches include ""George W. Bush,"" ""Gemini's Twin,"" ""The Weakest Link,"" ""Jeffrey's,"" ""Psycho Boss,"" ""The West Wing,"" ""The Soldiers of World War II,"" and ""Paradise Lounge.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Adam McKay
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 1 - Rob Lowe/Eminem
    6.4/10(119 votes)

    S26:E1

    Live From New York, it's...Chris Parnell Sketches include The First Presidential Debate, Corn Chip Nails, Backstage SNL: Rob Lowe Meets Ralph Nader, Scooby Doo and Shaggy on Court TV, Monday Night Football, Blind Date At The Airport, Dream Team 2000, Chris Kattan Olympic Profile, and Dateline. Eminem performed Stan (with Dido) and The Real Slim Shady.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 7 - Val Kilmer/U2
    6.4/10(122 votes)

    S26:E7

    Live From New York, it's...Chris Parnell Sketches include: Gore's Lawsuit, Wade Blasingame: Dog Lawyer, Behind The Music, Palm Beach, Veronica and Co., Seasons Greetings From SNL, Doing Voices, The Tyson Bros., and Corn Chip Nails (from the Rob Lowe/Eminem and Dido episode) U2 performs: ""Beautiful Day"" and ""Elevation""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 12 - Sean Hayes/Shaggy
    6.2/10(86 votes)

    S26:E12

    Sketches include ""George W. Bush,"" ""Delicious Dish,"" ""Hardball,"" ""Jeffrey's,"" ""Hello Dolly,"" ""Fashion Week,"" ""Action News,"" ""Mary Katherine Gallagher,"" ""Brian Fellow's Safari Planet,"" and ""Talkin' 'Bout 'Ginas.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Tim Herlihy, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, Jerry Collins, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 15 - Julia Stiles/Aerosmith
    5.9/10(95 votes)

    S26:E15

    Sketches include ""Martha Stewart Living,"" ""Wake Up Wakefield,"" ""Post Office Security,"" ""Suel Forrester,"" ""Foreign Cleaning Ladies,"" ""Amateur Night,"" and ""Der Lachlen Berrherscht.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Adam McKay
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 16 - Alec Baldwin/Coldplay
    5.9/10(100 votes)

    S26:E16

    Sketches include ""George W. Bush,"" ""Delicious Dish,"" ""Military Soldier,"" ""Inside the Actor's Studio,"" ""Robert Goulet,"" ""Democrats.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 3 - Dana Carvey/The Wallflowers
    5.8/10(116 votes)

    S26:E3

    Live From New York, it's...Dana Carvey Sketches include: "The Third Presidental Debate", "Magic Mouth", "Delicious Dish", "Church Chat", "Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. Go Hunting", "VH-1 Vogue Fashion Awards", and "Ching Chang's Chicken Play". The Wallflowers perform: "Sleepwalker" and "Hand Me Down" (a third performance is done by guest Baha Men)

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 8 - Lucy Liu/Jay-Z
    5.7/10(112 votes)

    S26:E8

    Sketches include ""George W. Bush and Al Gore at Chi-Chi's,"" ""Gemini's Twin,"" ""Celebrity Jeopardy,"" ""Pretty Living,"" ""Jarret's Room,"" ""Christmas Ornaments,"" and ""Robert Goulet Rap.""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Cindy Caponera, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld, Steve Bannos

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 19 - Lara Flynn Boyle/Bon Jovi
    5.7/10(76 votes)

    S26:E19

    Live From New York, it's...Darrell Hammond Sketches include ""A Message From Mayor Giuliani,"" ""Leon Loves Mango,"" ""Hardball,"" ""The Continental,"" ""Porch Lovers,"" ""Dirty Centaur Job Interview,"" ""TV Funhouse: The Anatominals/Lorne Michaels and The Devil"", ""Memorial Day Song"", and ""Badger Up The Boss's Butt"" Weezer performs: ""Hash Pipe"" and ""Island on the Sun""

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 10 - Mena Suvari/Lenny Kravitz
    5.5/10(85 votes)

    S26:E10

    Sketches include ""Bill Clinton,"" ""Airport Metal Detector,"" ""Janet Reno's Dance Party, ""Rap Street,"" ""Veronica & Co.,"" and ""The DeMarco Brothers.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, David Lipson, Don McGrath
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 13 - Katie Holmes/Dave Matthews Band
    5.5/10(90 votes)

    S26:E13

    Sketches include ""The Clinton Family,"" ""Mr. Peepers,"" ""Drew Barrymore and Tom Green,"" ""Lovers,"" ""Jarret's Room,"" ""Tough as Nails,"" and ""Cruise Ship Lovers.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Stacey Foster
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 11 - Jennifer Lopez
    5.4/10(152 votes)

    S26:E11

    Sketches include ""Will Ferrell and Jennifer Lopez,"" ""Mango,"" ""Gemini's Twin,"" ""Fly Girls,"" ""Good Morning Bronx,"" ""Jeanie Darcy,"" and ""Lana Thornberry.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster, David Wachtenheim, Adam McKay
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld, Alex Baze

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 9 - Charlie Sheen/Nelly Furtado
    5.3/10(89 votes)

    S26:E9

    Sketches include ""Dick Cheney,"" ""Iron Chef,"" ""Eric Dickerson's NFL Pre-Game Special,"" ""The Culps,"" ""Patsy March,"" ""Giving Birth to a Grown Man,"" ""T.G.I. Friday's Obnoxious Waiter,"" and ""Charlie and Fleisy.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Stacey Foster, Adam McKay
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld, Tom Hertz

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 17 - Renee Zellweger/Eve
    5.3/10(94 votes)

    S26:E17

    Sketches include ""The Culps,"" ""Jerry Maguire 2,"" ""Hardball,"" ""A Wedding Story,"" ""Blind Date,"" and ""Crazy Doctor.""

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, David Lipson, Don McGrath
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michelle Saks Smigel, Louis C.K., Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 6 - Tom Green/David Gray
    5.0/10(112 votes)

    S26:E6

    Sketches include ""Decision 2000,"" ""Bald Eagles,"" ""Rap Street,"" ""Lorne and Tom in a Tub,"" ""Hardball,"" ""Dog Show,"" ""Oprah,"" ""Story Tellers,"" ""TV Funhouse: Sex and the Country"", ""Rock Around the Clock,"" and ""Tom and Drew's Wedding."" The NBC rerun replaces the ""Sex and the Country"" TV Funhouse with the one from the Charlize Theron episode where Mr. T lands a job doing a tampon commercial.

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, David Wachtenheim, Robert Marianetti
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Tom Davis, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld, Shawn Greenson, Derek Harvie

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 5 - Calista Flockhart/Ricky Martin
    4.9/10(95 votes)

    S26:E5

    S26E05 (11/11/2000) was originally mis-identified as Presidential Bash (S00E36, air date 11/3/2000)

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 26 Episode 4 - Charlize Theron/Paul Simon
    4.5/10(117 votes)

    S26:E4

    Live From New York, it's...Will Ferrell Sketches include: "A Glimpse of our Possible Future: George W. Bush", "TRL", "A Glimpse of our Possible Future: Al Gore and Bill Clinton", "Goth Talk: The Blair Witch Tour", "TV Funhouse: The All-New Adventures of Mr. T", "Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe On 'The Seven Year Itch'", "Sex Therapy With Mr. Peepers", "A Glimpse of our Possible Future: Ralph Nader", "The DeMarco Brothers Audition For Paul Simon", "Robert Goulet's Rap Album", and "The Perverted Spanish Singers" Paul Simon performs: "Hurricane Eye" and "Old"

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, David Lipson, Don McGrath
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, Jon Rosenfeld

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Season 26 Ratings Summary

"Conan O'Brien/Don Henley" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 26. It scored 7.4/10 based on 133 votes. Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller, James Signorelli, Stacey Foster and written by Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, Steve Higgins, Tina Fey, Harper Steele, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Matt Murray, Matt Piedmont, Dennis McNicholas, Jim Downey, Hugh Fink, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, Robert Carlock, Scott Wainio, Jon Glaser, Michael Schur, T. Sean Shannon, Tony Daro, Melanie Graham, Jerry Minor, Barry Sobel, it aired on 3/10/2001. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Christopher Walken/Weezer".