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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 31

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 31 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 31!

Binge this in 21h 13m•Peaking at 7.6/10

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 31 Episode 1 - Steve Carell/Kanye West
    6.7/10(172 votes)

    #1 - Steve Carell/Kanye West

    S31:E1

    Live from New York, it's... Will Forte! Sketches include "Bush Addresses the Nation," "MorganStanley," "The JetBlue Crisis," "Anderson Cooper 360," "The Couple That Should Be Divorced," "Girls Gone Wild Katrina," "Kanye Backstage," "The Lundford Twins Variety Hour," "Fun With Real Audio" (cartoon), and "Debbie Downer." Kanye West performed "Gold Digger" and "Heard 'Em Say" featuring Adam Levine.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski, Matt O'Brien

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 2 - Jon Heder/Ashlee Simpson
    5.4/10(120 votes)

    #2 - Jon Heder/Ashlee Simpson

    S31:E2

    Sketches include "George W. Bush and Harriet Miers," "Taco Town," "Caitlin's Science Fair," "Werewolf Date," "The Misadventures of Tom Delay and Bill Frist," "Showbiz Grande Explosion!," "Wilson Brothers Funeral Home," "Hubbard Systems," "Operator Date," and "The Black Eyed Peas." Ashlee Simpson performed "Catch Me When I Fall" and "Boyfriend."

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 3 - Catherine Zeta-Jones / Franz Ferdinand
    6.4/10(117 votes)

    #3 - Catherine Zeta-Jones / Franz Ferdinand

    S31:E3

    Live from New York, it's... Darrell Hammond! Sketches include "Bush's Spontaneous Chat," "Butt Cancer Treatment Center," "Newsnight with Aaron Brown," "Dancers Party," "The Italians," "Access Hollywood," "Creighton Boys School," "Glen and Gina's Wedding," "MorganStanley," and "The Scheinwalds." Franz Ferdinand performed "Do You Want To" and "Take Me Out."

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 4 - Lance Armstrong/Sheryl Crow
    5.0/10(104 votes)

    #4 - Lance Armstrong/Sheryl Crow

    S31:E4

    Live from New York, it's... Darrell Hammond! Sketches include "The Libby Indictment," "Celebrity Ironman," "RAD 3000," "Indigo Girls Harmonies," "The O'Reilly Factor," "Sheryl's Song," "Days of Our Lives," "Carol!," and "Giddy Henchman." Sheryl Crow performed "Good is Good" and "Strong Enough."

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 5 - Jason Lee/Foo Fighters
    6.3/10(115 votes)

    #5 - Jason Lee/Foo Fighters

    S31:E5

    Live from New York, it's... Will Forte! Sketches include "Hardball," "JJ Casuals," "Good Morning Meth," "The Falconer," "Thomas & Dobbins," "The Soaking Wet Killer," "Refurbishments," "Butt Pregnancy," "Stachin'," "McNutly & Sons," and "American Tasar." Foo Fighters performed "DOA" and "Best of You."

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 6 - Eva Longoria/Korn
    6.3/10(112 votes)

    #6 - Eva Longoria/Korn

    S31:E6

    Fox News Special Report: Bush in China, Eva Longoria Monologue, Totally Rad Smoke Detector 3000 (repeat), The Spammies, Deep House Dish, Morgan Stanley (repeat), The Needlers: College Reunion, Variety Vault: Vincent Price Thanksgiving, Weekend Update featuring guests Jean Schmidt and Steve Jobs, Desperate Housewives Vanity Fair Shoot, Trapped in the Closet II, The Engelhard Five, Firmium. Korn performs "Twisted Transistor" and "Freak on a Leash". Maya Rudolph absent for maternity leave.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 7 - Dane Cook/James Blunt
    5.2/10(150 votes)

    #7 - Dane Cook/James Blunt

    S31:E7

    Sketches include: Tree Re-Lighting Special, Dane Cook Monologue, School Announcements, Taco Town (repeat), The Long Ride Home: The Jay Feely Story, Wool Sweater, Lettuce: An SNL Digital Short, Target Greatland, Weekend Update with guests Rachel Dratch and Michael Irvin, The Coma, Fight Back with Victor Ramos, Morgan Stanley (repeat). James Blunt performs "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover". Maya Rudolph is absent on maternity leave.

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 8 - Alec Baldwin/Shakira
    6.2/10(128 votes)

    #8 - Alec Baldwin/Shakira

    S31:E8

    Saddam in Prison, Alec Baldwin's 12th Monologue, Commercial Parody: Tylenol BM, TV Funhouse: Celebrity Mugshot Poker, O'Reilly Factor, Carol Goes Bowling, Glengarry Glen Christmas.

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Stefan Nadelman
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, Ray James, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski, Matt O'Brien, Mike Sweeney

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 9 - Jack Black/Neil Young
    7.1/10(171 votes)

    #9 - Jack Black/Neil Young

    S31:E9

    "A Holiday Message from the Vice President," "Stuart Little Mouse Removal Kit," "Sbarro," "Appalachian Emergency Room," "Christmastime for the Jews" (cartoon), "Channel 5 Photo Shoot," "Lazy Sunday" (film), "A Very Downer Christmas," "Space War 2148," "Two A-Holes Buying a Christmas Tree," and "Spelling Bee." Neil Young performed "It's a Dream" and "He Was The King."

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer, David H. Brooks
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, Scott Jacobson, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski, Eric Drysdale, Julie Klausner

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 10 - Scarlett Johanson/Death Cab for Cutie
    6.7/10(148 votes)

    #10 - Scarlett Johanson/Death Cab for Cutie

    S31:E10

    Live from New York, it's... the voice of Robert Smigel! Sketches include "The 700 Gang" (cartoon), "Taco Town," "Deep House Dish," "Smorgabord," "Darwin" (cartoon), "Mike and Toni's Chandelier Galaxy," "Live Duluth," "My Super Sweet 16," "Once in a Lifetime Jewelers," "The Kuril-Khamchatka Trench," and "Mr. Willoughby." Death Cab for Cutie performed "Soul Meets Body" and "Crooked Teeth."

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, David Wachtenheim, Glen Steinmacher
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, Michelle Saks Smigel, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, Rich Blomquist, Scott Jacobson, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski, Matt O'Brien

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 11 - Peter Sarsgaard/The Strokes
    6.5/10(117 votes)

    #11 - Peter Sarsgaard/The Strokes

    S31:E11

    Sketches include "Anderson Cooper 360," "Nelson's Baby Toupees," "Target Greatland," "National Pirate Convention," "Carol!," "Young Chuck Norris" (film), "Cat Fancy," "Gays in Space," "Fairmount Suites Inn," "NSA Wiretap," and "Peter Sarsgaard's SARS-guards." The Strokes performed "Juicebox" and "You Only Live Once."

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 12 - Steve Martin/Prince
    7.3/10(143 votes)

    #12 - Steve Martin/Prince

    S31:E12

    Filmed in New York, it's... Steve Martin! Sketches include "The Sabotage of Baldwin" (film), "Teddy Bear Holding a Heart," "Oprah," "Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford," "Hamas Party," "Close Talkers" (film), "Quick Zoom Theater," "Super Bowl XL Rehearsals," "Backstage: Steve, Alec and Lorne," "The Prince Show," "State of the Galaxy 2145," "The Tangent" (film), "Surfer Club," and "Naturally Crafting." Prince performed "Fury (A Woman Scorned)" and "Beautiful Loved, and Blessed" featuring Tamar.

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Bill Hader, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 13 - Natalie Portman/Fall Out Boy
    7.6/10(226 votes)

    #13 - Natalie Portman/Fall Out Boy

    S31:E13

    Sketches include "Bush Responds to Criticism," "Nelson's Baby Toupees," "Jamba Juice," "Larry King Live," "The Couple That Should Be Divorced," "Belated Black History Moment" (cartoon), "Art Dealers and the College Boyfriend," "Sheldon's Bar Mitzvah," "The Real Natalie" Digital Short, and "RAD 3000." Fall Out Boy performed "Dance Dance" and "Sugar, We're Going Down."

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer, James Signorelli, Glen Steinmacher
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 14 - Matt Dillon/Arctic Monkeys
    6.2/10(114 votes)

    #14 - Matt Dillon/Arctic Monkeys

    S31:E14

    Live from New York, it's... Darrell Hammond! Sketches include "Bush Responds to Criticism," "Nelson's Baby Toupees," "Jamba Juice," "Larry King Live," "The Couple That Should Be Divorced," "Belated Black History Moment" (cartoon), "Art Dealers and the College Boyfriend," "Sheldon's Bar Mitzvah," "The Real Natalie" (film), and "RAD 3000." Fall Out Boy performed "Dance Dance" and "Sugar, We're Going Down."

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 15 - Antonio Banderas/Mary J. Blige
    5.9/10(138 votes)

    #15 - Antonio Banderas/Mary J. Blige

    S31:E15

    Live from New York (for the 600th time) Sketches include "Anderson Cooper 360," "Basic Instinct 2: Return of the Beaver," "Deal or No Deal," "Automated-Phone Lady," "Besos y Lagrimas," "13th Annual Women's Basketball Coaches Fashion Awards," "Zorro's Body Double," "Rascals' Karoake," "Immigrants Backstage," and "Wine Snobs." Mary J. Blige performs "Be Without You" and "Enough Crying.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski, Mindy Kaling

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 16 - Lindsay Lohan/Pearl Jam
    6.7/10(142 votes)

    #16 - Lindsay Lohan/Pearl Jam

    S31:E16

    Live from New York, it's... Lindsay Lohan! Sketches include "The Situation Room," "Neutrogena Coin Slot," "Deep House Dish," "Journey to the Disney Vaults" (cartoon), "The O'Reilly Factor," "Le Rendezvous," "Laser Cats!" (film), "Debbie Downer," "Officemates' Night Out," and "Atlantic City Fever." Pearl Jam performed "World Wide Suicide" and "Severed Hand."

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer, James Signorelli, David Wachtenheim, Robert Marianetti, Glen Steinmacher
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Bill Hader, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, David Wachtenheim, Rich Blomquist, Robert Marianetti, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 17 - Tom Hanks/Red Hot Chili Peppers
    6.8/10(144 votes)

    #17 - Tom Hanks/Red Hot Chili Peppers

    S31:E17

    Sketches include "Bill Frist's Gas Plan," "Wheel of Fortune," "Kaitlin and the Iguana," "Ariell & Ephraim" (film), "Ma!," "Claremont Yoga Center," "Colin's Place," and "Country Club Tennis." Red Hot Chili Peppers performed "Dani California" and "Give It Away."

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 18 - Julia Louis-Dreyfus/Paul Simon
    6.9/10(138 votes)

    #18 - Julia Louis-Dreyfus/Paul Simon

    S31:E18

    Former cast member Julia Louis-Dreyfus' first time hosting, promoting "The New Adventures of Old Christine". Sketches include: Parallel Universe Address from President Gore Cold Open, Julia Louis-Dreyfus Monologue (with guests Jason Alexander and Jerry Seinfeld), Tech Pack, Bum Attention, The Morning Show, MySpace Class, Weekend Update: Debate between Al Gore and Amy Poelher, Weekend Update with guests Wolfgang Fey, Finesse Mitchell and David Blaine, Charades Game Show, Unsolved Mysteries, Bullhorn: An SNL Digital Short. Paul Simon performs "How Can You Live in a Northeast Town" and "Outrageous".

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, Kristin Gore, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 31 Episode 19 - Kevin Spacey/Nelly Furtado
    6.4/10(133 votes)

    #19 - Kevin Spacey/Nelly Furtado

    S31:E19

    Sketches include "Anderson Cooper 360," "A-holes at a Crime Scene," "Oprah's Legends Ball," "Carol!," "Fun with Real Audio" (cartoon), "Kevin and Andy Backstage," "The Falconer," "Andy Walking" (film), "Lord Phillip Sarc," and "I Do Not Agree With Many of This Administration's Policies." Nelly Furtado performs "Promiscuous" (featuring Timbaland) and "Maneater."

    Directors:Beth McCarthy-Miller, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski

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Season 31 Ratings Summary

"Steve Carell/Kanye West" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 31. It scored 6.7/10 based on 172 votes. Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and written by Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Harper Steele, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, Robert Smigel, Akiva Schaffer, Matt Murray, Colin Jost, Adam McKay, Frank Sebastiano, T. Sean Shannon, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Charlie Grandy, JB Smoove, Liz Cackowski, Matt O'Brien, it aired on 10/1/2005. This episode is rated 1.3 points higher than the second-best, "Jon Heder/Ashlee Simpson".