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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 3

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 3!

Binge this in 22h 20m•Peaking at 8.8/10

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 3 Episode 18 - Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers
    8.8/10(273 votes)

    S3:E18

    *Nominated for an Emmy Award* Live From New York, It's...Paul Shaffer Sketches include--"Don Kirshner's Rock Concert", "Hey You!", "Wild & Crazy Guys", "Theodoric of York", "Dancing In The Dark", "Extramarital Foreplay", "Swan Lake", "Troff 'n' Brew", "Nerds Science Fair", "Next Week In Review".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 5 - Ray Charles and the Raylettes
    7.7/10(170 votes)

    S3:E5

    Live From New York, It's...John Belushi Sketches include-- "Don Corleone", "A Message From the President of the United States", "Mamorex", "Howdy Doody's Widow", "Tomorrow", "The Young Caucasians", "Ray Charles Medley", "Franklyn Ajaye", "Evelyn Woodski Slow Reading Course", "Blackout Burglary", "Buck Henry Announcement".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 9 - Steve Martin/The Nitty Gritty Dirty Band
    7.7/10(158 votes)

    S3:E9

    Live From New York, It's...Dan Aykroyd Sketches include--"State of the Union Address", "Swill", "Searching For Bigfoot", "Wild & Crazy Guys", "Body Floss", "The Coneheads On 'Family Feud'", "'Close Personal Friends' Film", "What If?"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 11 - Chevy Chase/Billy Joel
    7.7/10(160 votes)

    S3:E11

    Live From New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include--"A Former President Speaks to the Nation", "The Moth Masher", "Post-Sex Discussion", "King", "Customs Trainee", "Bad Day Soundtrack Film", "Sermonette", "World War II GI Quiz", "Sketch With No Ending"

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 1 - Steve Martin/Jackson Browne
    7.6/10(168 votes)

    S3:E1

    Live From New York, It's...Dan Aykroyd Sketches include--"Bert Lance National Express Card", "Kromega III", "Wild & Crazy Guys", "Mike McMack, Defense Lawyer", "Trinity 3000 Computer", "Great Moments In Rock & Roll", "Mr. U.S.A. Pageant", "Royal Deluxe II"

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 10 - Robert Klein/Bonnie Raitt
    7.6/10(156 votes)

    S3:E10

    Live From New York, It's...Paul Shaffer Sketches include--"Mr. Mike & Tina Turner Review", "Olympia Cafe", "The X-Police", "Nick Winters", "Nerds Album", "Frogs Look At Film ", "Giant Lobster Attack Warning", "Rhonda Weiss", "Attack Of The Giant Lobsters", "Lobsters Wreck The Studio""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy, Brian Doyle-Murray

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 15 - Christopher Lee/Meat Loaf
    7.6/10(179 votes)

    S3:E15

    Live From New York, It's...John Belushi Sketches include--"Kevin Scott", "Movie Trailers", "My Fair Lady", "Mr. Death", "Anwar Sadat", "Cold As Ice", "Dell Stator's Rabbit Hut", "Vampire Hunters", "Richard Belzer", "Mr. Bill Goes To The Circus""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 16 - Michael Palin/Eugene Record
    7.5/10(142 votes)

    S3:E16

    Live From New York, It's...Dan Aykroyd Sketches include--"Oscar Awards", "Little Chocolate Donuts", "Tax Deductions", "H&L Brock", "Great Escape", "Nerds Piano Lesson", "The Case of the Scarlet Membrane", "Good Time At Party", "Mr. Bill Pays His Taxes", "Danger Probe"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 8 - Mrs. Miskel Spillman/Elvis Costello and the Attractions
    7.4/10(145 votes)

    S3:E8

    Live From New York, It's...John Belushi Sketches include ""America's Oldest Living Doper," "Meat Wagon Toy Ambulance," "Dating the Self-Conscious & Extremely Obnoxious," "Gift of the Magi," "Starsky and Hutch," "The Al Franken and Tom Davis Show," "E. Buzz Miller's Art Classics," "College Students Home For Christmas," "Drunken Santa," "Madame Butterfly"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 19 - Richard Dreyfuss/Jimmy Buffett
    7.4/10(136 votes)

    S3:E19

    Live From New York, It's...Bill Murray Sketches include--"Paraquat", "Cone Encounters of the Third Kind", "Sex Test", "Nick 'Springs'", "Annoying Lovers' Traits", "The David Susskind Show", "Father Guido Sarducci",

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 4 - Charles Grodin/Paul Simon and The Persuaders
    7.2/10(159 votes)

    S3:E4

    Live From New York, It's...John Belushi Sketches include--"Grodin Misses Dress Rehearsal", "Weekend Update Ad", "The Coneheads", "Long-Winded Set-Up", "Consumer Probe", "The 'Anyone Can Host' Contest", "Samurai Dry Cleaners", "Trick-or-Treating Killer Bees", "Judy Miller"", "The Professional School of Football", "Incompetents"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 7 - Mary Kay Place/Willie Nelson
    7.2/10(140 votes)

    S3:E7

    Live From New York, It's...Laraine Newman, Garrett Morris, Bill Murray, Mary Kay Place, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, & Jane Curtin Sketches include--"Peppiest Show Ever", "Hey, You!", "More Insects To Worry About", "Total Womanhood", "Married In A Minute!", "Bad Musical", "Hanukkah Explanation".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 6 - Buck Henry/Leon Redbone
    7.1/10(138 votes)

    S3:E6

    Live From New York, It's...Anyone Can Host Contest Finalists Sketches include--"The 'Anyone Can Host' Contest Finalists", "Little Chocolate Donuts", "Samurai Psychiatrist", "Stunt Babies", "Motel Sanitation Items", "Tomorrow", "Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow", "The Rickey Rat Club", "The History of Franken & Davis", "Jackie Onassis", "'Anyone Can Host' Contest Film ", "Life After Death"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 20 - Buck Henry/Sun Ra
    7.1/10(132 votes)

    S3:E20

    Live From New York, It's...Dan Aykroyd Sketches include-- "Nixon Kicks His Book Around", "Nerds Go To The Prom", "Samurai TV Repairman", "Sodom Chamber of Commerce", "Olympia Cafe", "Mr. Mike's Least Loved Music", "More Insects To Worry About", "Stunt Puppy", "Bad Conceptual Art", "The Franken & Davis Show".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 14 - Jill Clayburgh/Eddie Money
    7.0/10(139 votes)

    S3:E14

    Live From New York, It's...Garrett Morris Sketches include--"Garrett Morris sings 'Danny Boy'", "Royal Deluxe II", "Olympia Cafe", "Sybil III", "Bad One-Man Theater", "Nutrifix", "Myopia", "Shower Mike", "The Coneheads On Earth", "Celebrity Crack-Up"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 12 - O.J. Simpson/Ashford and Simpson
    6.9/10(156 votes)

    S3:E12

    Live From New York, It's...Gilda Radner Sketches include--"Gilda Answers Audience Questions", "Samurai Night Fever", "Great Moments In Sports", "The Mohawk Master", "The Raid On Nicosia", "Voodoo", "The Franken & Davis Show", "Mandingo II", "E. Buzz Miller's Animal Kingdom", "Hertz Ad", "Celebrity Battle of the Sexes"

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 13 - Art Garfunkel/Stephen Bishop
    6.9/10(147 votes)

    S3:E13

    Live From New York, It's...Gilda Radner Sketches include--"Modern Crimes", "Kromega III", "Tomorrow", "Miracle In Chicago", "Stage Door Guard", "Looks At Books", "Don't Look Back In Anger", "Looking For Mr. Goodbar Playset""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 17 - Michael Sarrazin/Keith Jarrett
    6.7/10(136 votes)

    S3:E17

    Live From New York, It's...Laraine Newman Sketches include--"A Message From the President of the United States", "Angora Bouquet", "Judy Miller", "E. Buzz Miller's Exercise World", "La Dolce Gilda", "Abraham Lincoln in the Audience", "Archaeologicus"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 2 - Madeline Kahn/Taj Mahal
    6.5/10(157 votes)

    S3:E2

    Live From New York, It's...Bill Murray Sketches include--"Lee Harry Oswald", "Swill", "Bad Opera", "The 'Anyone Can Host' Contest", "Bianca Jagger Talks with Close Personal Friends", "The Acid Generation - Where Are They Now?", "Blind African-American", "Autumn In New York", "Ultra-Personal Feminine Product", "Dubbing Hercules", "Dame Edna Everage", "Pocket Pal", "Phone Secrets""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 3 Episode 3 - Hugh Hefner/Libby Titus
    6.2/10(154 votes)

    S3:E3

    Live From New York, It's...Laraine Newman Sketches include--"Playboy Bunny", "Angora Bouquet", "Planet Of The Men Vs. Planet Of The Women", "The 'Anyone Can Host' Contest", "The X-Police", "Circular Bed Sex Research", "Listening To Great Music", "Sex In Cinema", "3 R's", "The Story Of H", "Funeral Magician", "The Farbers at the Playboy Club"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Neil Levy

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 3. It scored 8.8/10 based on 273 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson, James Signorelli and written by Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Michael O'Donoghue, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, it aired on 4/22/1978. This episode is rated 1.1 points higher than the second-best, "Ray Charles and the Raylettes".