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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 30

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 30 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 30!

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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 30 Episode 1 - Ben Affleck/Nelly
    6.7/10(132 votes)

    #1 - Ben Affleck/Nelly

    S30:E1

    Live From New York (and opening the 30th season of SNL), it's...Chris Parnell Sketches include ""First Presidential Debate 2004,"" ""Dr. Porkenheimer's Boner Juice,"" ""Debbie Downer,"" ""Swift Veterans for Truth,"" ""Kerry Campaign Stop,"" ""The Escalator,"" ""Obnoxious Wedding DJ,"" and ""Kitty Kelley's 'The Family.'"" Nelly performs: ""My Place"" and ""Na-Nana-Na"" The Dr. Porkenheimer fake commercial is not shown in the 11/27/04 NBC rerun.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 2 - Queen Latifah
    5.0/10(109 votes)

    #2 - Queen Latifah

    S30:E2

    Live From New York, it's...Darrell Hammond Sketches include ""Hardball"", ""Sky Captain Filming"", ""Dyson Toilets"", ""The Ninth Presidential Debate"", ""Paris Hilton Apologizes"", ""President Bush and Tony Blair"", ""Apprentice Halloween Episode Commercial Taping"", ""Jane Eyre"", ""Bear City: The Fender Bender"", ""The Adventures of Peter O'Toole and Michael Caine"", and ""Bear City: Getting Fired"". Ashlee Simpson sings ""Pieces of Me"" (refer to Notes to see what happened to her on her second performance).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 3 - Jude Law/Ashlee Simpson
    6.3/10(131 votes)

    #3 - Jude Law/Ashlee Simpson

    S30:E3

    Live From New York, it's...Jim Downey translating for Seth Meyers Sketches include: NBC Special Report, Rap Night, Mrs. Dr. Frankenstein, TV Funhouse: John McCain's Speech, Clinton and Kerry, Kaitlin at the Mall, Goodwin Wig and Toy, and Election Map Colors Eminem performs: ""Mosh"" and ""Just Lose It""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 4 - Kate Winslet/Eminem
    5.9/10(122 votes)

    #4 - Kate Winslet/Eminem

    S30:E4

    Live From New York, it's...Will Forte Sketches include: Kerry at the Beach, Star Jones' Wedding Night, You Call This A House Do Ya?, Dr. Porkenheimer's Boner Juice (repeat from the Ben Affleck/Nelly episode with slight edit*). The Giant Parrot, Wake Up San Diego, Appalachian Emergency Room, and The Drug Sniffing Dog. Modest Mouse performs: ""Float On"" and ""Ocean Breathes Salty"" *The Dr. Porkenheimer commercial repeats in this episode, but the ending where it shows Rob Riggle with an exaggerated erection (covered by the bedsheets) is replaced with a scene where Poehler and Riggle are hugging.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 5 - Liam Neeson/Modest Mouse
    6.0/10(113 votes)

    #5 - Liam Neeson/Modest Mouse

    S30:E5

    Sketches include: ""C-SPAN Terrorist Alert,"" ""Woomba,"" ""Pranksters,"" ""A 'Blue' Christmas"" (cartoon), ""The Undercover Cop,"" ""Prince Christmas Special,"" ""Apprentice Christmas Promo,"" ""Bear City: The Carolers,"" ""Christmas With The Cat Lady,"" and Horatio sings with The Muppets. Destiny's Child performed ""Soldier"" and ""Cater 2 U.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 6 - Luke Wilson/U2
    5.8/10(105 votes)

    #6 - Luke Wilson/U2

    S30:E6

    Live From New York, it's...Darrell Hammond Sketches include: CNN Press Conference, Trucker Talk, Beaver Ranch Brothel, Hardball, Black Paramedics, Noony and Nuni, and The Not So Great Adventures of the Down and Out Dollar

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 7 - Colin Farrell/Scissor Sisters
    6.1/10(135 votes)

    #7 - Colin Farrell/Scissor Sisters

    S30:E7

    Live From New York, it's...Tina Fey and Amy Poehler! Sketches include: ""The Bush Twins"", ""Condelezza Rice's Hearing"", ""Gaystrogen"" (from season 29), ""Paul Giamatti's Limo Driver"", ""Kaitlin's Karaoke Machine"", ""TVLand: The Lundsford Twins Feel Good Variety Hour"", ""Andy at Reinhold Investments"", ""Spy Glass"", and ""Giant Cat."" Ludacris and Sum 41 perform ""Get Back""; Ludacris performs ""Number One Spot.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 8 - Robert De Niro/Destiny's Child
    6.0/10(119 votes)

    #8 - Robert De Niro/Destiny's Child

    S30:E8

    Live from New York, it's...Rachel Dratch Sketches include: American Idol, CheapKids.Net Ad 1, Versace Skiing, Starkisha and Portia at the Purse Shop, CheapKids.Net Ad 2, Exclusive Connections, Donald Trump's New Wife, Merv The Perv, CheapKids.Net Ad 3, Rafael Alonzo's I.T.F. Technical Computer Institute, Inside Barbie Dreamhouse, The Bar, and Bear City: Cigarette Shopping Keane performs: ""Somewhere Only We Know"" and ""Everybody's Changing""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 9 - Topher Grace/The Killers
    6.6/10(117 votes)

    #9 - Topher Grace/The Killers

    S30:E9

    Live from New York, it's... Horatio Sanz Sketches include ""Kim Jong Il,"" ""me-Harmony.com,"" ""Monkeys Throwing Poop at Celebrities,"" ""Black History Month,"" ""The Best of TT and Mario,"" ""Subway Beggers,"" ""Gays in Space,"" ""Gibson Studios,"" ""Rap Night with Chubb Hotty,"" and ""Public Speech Class.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 10 - Paul Giamatti/Ludacris & Sum 41
    5.8/10(92 votes)

    #10 - Paul Giamatti/Ludacris & Sum 41

    S30:E10

    Live from New York, it's... Amy Poehler! Sketches include ""Neverland Ranch,"" ""Grayson-Moorhead Investments,"" ""Sheila Choad's LA Face,"" ""Hot Plates,"" ""Debbie Downer at the Oscars,"" ""Seasons of Love,"" ""City Court with Aaron Neville,"" ""After the Grammys,"" and ""Project Runway."" 50 Cent (featuring Olivia) performed ""Candy Shop"" and later performed ""Disco Inferno.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 11 - Paris Hilton/Keane
    4.2/10(164 votes)

    #11 - Paris Hilton/Keane

    S30:E11

    Live from New York, it's...Rachel Dratch Sketches include: American Idol, CheapKids.Net Ad 1, Versace Skiing, Starkisha and Portia at the Purse Shop, CheapKids.Net Ad 2, Exclusive Connections, Donald Trump's New Wife, Merv The Perv, CheapKids.Net Ad 3, Rafael Alonzo's I.T.F. Technical Computer Institute, Inside Barbie Dreamhouse, The Bar, and Bear City: Cigarette Shopping Keane performs: ""Somewhere Only We Know"" and ""Everybody's Changing""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 12 - Jason Bateman/Kelly Clarkson
    7.2/10(114 votes)

    #12 - Jason Bateman/Kelly Clarkson

    S30:E12

    Live From New York, it's...Darrell Hammond Sketches include: Hardball, meharmony.com (repeat from the Jason Bateman/Kelly Clarkson episode), Oprah, The Push-Up Contest, Kevin Federline, Gays In Space, Guest Preacher, Action News 13, and Nebulzitol Gwen Stefani (with Eve) performs ""Rich Girl"" and ""Holla Back Girl""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 13 - Hilary Swank/50 Cent
    5.0/10(99 votes)

    #13 - Hilary Swank/50 Cent

    S30:E13

    Sketches include ""Papal Debate '05,"" ""Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,"" ""Michael Jackson"" (cartoon), ""The Barry Gibb Talk Show,"" ""One-Star Hotel,"" ""Woo! The Musical,"" ""Sofa Warehouse,"" and ""Spy Glass."" Green Day performed ""Boulevard of Broken Dreams"" and ""Holiday.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 14 - David Spade/Jack Johnson
    6.0/10(108 votes)

    #14 - David Spade/Jack Johnson

    S30:E14

    Live from New York, it's...Chris Parnell Sketches include: A Message From Tom DeLay, Dr. Porkenheimer's Boner Juice (re-edited and using the alternate ending from the Liam Neeson/Modest Mouse episode), The Bad Thrower, The Falconer, Tom Brady's Falafel House, Behind The Music: The Super Bowl Shuffle, Dr. Phil, and Backstage SNL: The Quarterbacks

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 15 - Ashton Kutcher/Gwen Stefani
    4.9/10(111 votes)

    #15 - Ashton Kutcher/Gwen Stefani

    S30:E15

    Live From New York, it's...Paula Abdul Sketches include: ""Primetime Live: The American Idol Scandal,"" ""Sally & Dan Harrison: The Couple That Should Be Divorced,"" ""Donald Trump's Domino's Ad,"" ""Versace Mother's Day,"" ""Channel 5 Late Night Movie,"" ""Mother's Day Brunch,"" ""Helping Hands Telethon,"" ""Merv the Perv,"" ""Action News,"" ""Bear City"" (film), and ""You Might Be A Gay Redneck If..."" System of a Down perform: ""B.Y.O.B"" and ""Aerials""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 16 - Cameron Diaz/Green Day
    5.5/10(121 votes)

    #16 - Cameron Diaz/Green Day

    S30:E16

    Live From New York, It's... Darrell Hammond (yet again) Sketches include ""Hardball,"" ""America's Next Top Model,"" ""Monster-In-Law Screening,"" ""The Prince Show,"" ""Little Italy,"" ""The Ride Home,"" and ""Bear City"" (film). Coldplay performed ""Speed of Sound"" and ""Fix You.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 17 - Tom Brady/Beck
    6.3/10(117 votes)

    #17 - Tom Brady/Beck

    S30:E17

    Live from New York, it's...Chris Parnell Sketches include: A Message From Tom DeLay, Dr. Porkenheimer's Boner Juice (re-edited and using the alternate ending from the Liam Neeson/Modest Mouse episode), The Bad Thrower, The Falconer, Tom Brady's Falafel House, Behind The Music: The Super Bowl Shuffle, Dr. Phil, and Backstage SNL: The Quarterbacks

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 18 - Johnny Knoxville/System of a Down
    5.9/10(128 votes)

    #18 - Johnny Knoxville/System of a Down

    S30:E18

    Live From New York, it's...Paula Abdul Sketches include: ""Primetime Live: The American Idol Scandal,"" ""Sally & Dan Harrison: The Couple That Should Be Divorced,"" ""Donald Trump's Domino's Ad,"" ""Versace Mother's Day,"" ""Channel 5 Late Night Movie,"" ""Mother's Day Brunch,"" ""Helping Hands Telethon,"" ""Merv the Perv,"" ""Action News,"" ""Bear City"" (film), and ""You Might Be A Gay Redneck If..."" System of a Down perform: ""B.Y.O.B"" and ""Aerials""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 19 - Will Ferrell/Queens of the Stone Age
    7.2/10(135 votes)

    #19 - Will Ferrell/Queens of the Stone Age

    S30:E19

    Sketches include ""Will Backstage,"" ""Celebrity Jeopardy,"" ""Oracle Conclave,"" ""Going 2 C Movies,"" and ""Luxury Spy.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 30 Episode 20 - Lindsay Lohan/Coldplay
    5.9/10(127 votes)

    #20 - Lindsay Lohan/Coldplay

    S30:E20

    Live From New York, It's... Darrell Hammond (yet again) Sketches include ""Hardball,"" ""America's Next Top Model,"" ""Monster-In-Law Screening,"" ""The Prince Show,"" ""Little Italy,"" ""The Ride Home,"" and ""Bear City"" (film). Coldplay performed ""Speed of Sound"" and ""Fix You.""

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 30 Ratings Summary

"Ben Affleck/Nelly" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 30. It scored 6.7/10 based on 132 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/2/2004. This episode is rated 1.7 points higher than the second-best, "Queen Latifah".