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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 34

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 34 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 34!

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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 34 Episode 21 - Justin Timberlake/Ciara
    8.2/10(262 votes)

    S34:E21

    No description available

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Rob Klein, Jessica Conrad

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 8 - Paul Rudd/Beyonce
    7.7/10(204 votes)

    S34:E8

    Live from New York, it's... Jason Sudeikis! Sketches include "Vice President-elect Joe Biden," "Sproingo," "Kissing Family," "Scared Straight," "Everyone's a Critic" (Digital Short), "Tom and Tonya Peoples," "Garden Party Road Trip," "Beyonce Video Shoot," "Suicide Negotiation," "Proposition 8," and "Clearing the Air" (film). Beyonce performed "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies."

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, Noah Baumbach
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 22 - Will Ferrell/Green Day
    7.7/10(223 votes)

    S34:E22

    Host Will Ferrell; Green Day performs; Norm Macdonald, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd also appear.

    Director:Don Roy King
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Rob Klein, Jessica Conrad

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 4 - Anne Hathaway/The Killers
    7.6/10(238 votes)

    S34:E4

    Sketches include "The Vice Presidential Debate," "The Lawrence Welk Show," "The Wall Street Bailout," "Nightclub Flirting," "Extreme Activities Competition" (Digital Short), "Mary Poppins," "Sioux City News 3," "Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals," "Pretending To Be Gay," and "The Less Provocactive Songs of Katy Perry." The Killers performed "Human" and "Spaceman."

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 10 - John Malkovich/T.I.
    7.5/10(167 votes)

    S34:E10

    Live from New York, it's... Darrell Hammond and Amy Poehler! Sketches include "Secretary Clinton," "Gas Right," "Sexy Shannon," "Obama Keeps It Cool" (film), "La Rivista Della Televisione," "Virgania Horsen's Pony Express" (Digital Short), "Calculators," "The Lost Works of Judy Blume," "Jizz In My Pants" (Digital Short), and "J'Accuzzi." T.I. performed "Whatever You Like" and "Swing Ya Rag" (featuring Swizz Beatz).

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 17 - Dwayne Johnson/Ray LaMontagne
    7.5/10(172 votes)

    S34:E17

    Sketches include "1-800-IDEAS?," "MacGruber" (three parts), "The Rock Obama," "Activia Testimonials," "Hawaiians," "Game Time with Dave and Gary," "NBC Promos," and "Lighthouse Date."

    Directors:Don Roy King, Jorma Taccone
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 5 - Josh Brolin/Adele
    7.4/10(188 votes)

    S34:E5

    Live from New York, it's... Gov. Sarah Palin! Sketches include "Palin on Palin," "MacGruber" (three parts), "Sue and the Engagement," "The Suze Orman Show," "Mark and Andy Backstage," "I'm No Angel," "Fart Face," "Narc School," "ReadiTrade.com," "New York Underground" (film), and "Fall Foliage." Adele performed "Chasing Pavements" and "Cold Shoulder."

    Directors:Don Roy King, Jorma Taccone
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 6 - Jon Hamm/Coldplay
    7.4/10(189 votes)

    S34:E6

    Jon Hamm/Coldplay is the sixth episode of the thirty-fourth season of Saturday Night Live. It originally aired on October 25, 2008.

    Director:Don Roy King
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 12 - Neil Patrick Harris/Taylor Swift
    7.1/10(179 votes)

    S34:E12

    Actor Neil Patrick Harris hosts; Taylor Swift performs "Love Story" and "Forever & Always." Sketches include "The Rachel Maddow Show," "The Today Show," "Save Broadway," "Penelope in Group Therapy," "Digital Short: Doogie Howser Theme Song," "Weekend Update" with guests Charles Barkley and Will Forte, "Two First Names," "Air Traffic Controllers Fran and Freba," "Frost/Other People," and "Whopper Virgins."

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad, Sidney Karger

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 2 - James Franco/Kings of Leon
    6.8/10(191 votes)

    S34:E2

    Live from New York, it's... Darrell Hammond! Sketches include "McCain Voiceovers," "The Cougar Den," "Agent 420," "Simpson Jury Selection," "Murray Hill" (Digital Short), "The Looker," "New York Times Reporters," "Of Mice and Men," "Yankee Stadium Stories" (film), and "James and Willam Dafoe." Kings of Leon performed "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody."

    Directors:Don Roy King, Jorma Taccone
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Al Franken, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 7 - Ben Affleck/David Cook
    6.8/10(156 votes)

    S34:E7

    Ben Affleck Hosts, special guest John McCain, and your musical guest is Dave Cook.

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, Colin Jost
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Rob Klein, Jessica Conrad

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 16 - Alec Baldwin/Jonas Brothers
    6.8/10(151 votes)

    S34:E16

    Actor Alec Baldwin hosts; Jonas Brothers perform "Tonight" and "Video Girl." Sketches include "Republican Congressional Leadership Meeting," "The Fourth Jonas Brother," "The Cougar Den," "Digital Short: The Jonas Brothers' Secret," "Sir Mix-a-Lot's Photo Shop," "Weekend Update" with guests Oscar Rogers, Angelina Jolie, Angie Tempura, and Joaquin Phoenix, "Vincent Price's Valentine's Day Special," "Planning a Meeting," "Wii," "Chewable Pampers Commercial," "Virgania Horsen's Hot Air Balloon Rides," and "First Coughs."

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 20 - Zac Efron/Yeah Yeah Yeahs
    6.8/10(170 votes)

    S34:E20

    No description available

    Directors:Don Roy King, James Signorelli
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 14 - Steve Martin/Jason Mraz
    6.6/10(140 votes)

    S34:E14

    No description available

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, James Signorelli
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Robert Smigel, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 15 - Bradley Cooper/TV on the Radio
    6.6/10(139 votes)

    S34:E15

    No description available

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 3 - Anna Faris/Duffy
    6.5/10(142 votes)

    S34:E3

    Live from New York, it's... Tina Fey! Sketches include "Sarah Palin Interview," "New Friends," "The First Presidential Debate," "Rowboat Date," "Scores," "Deep House Dish," "Googie Rene's Slightly Stained Wedding Dress Basement," and "Superior Ex-Boyfriend." Duffy performed "Mercy" and "Stepping Stone."

    Director:Don Roy King
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 18 - Tracy Morgan/Kelly Clarkson
    6.5/10(133 votes)

    S34:E18

    No description available

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 19 - Seth Rogen/Phoenix
    6.5/10(136 votes)

    S34:E19

    No description available

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, James Signorelli
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 11 - Hugh Laurie/Kanye West
    6.4/10(155 votes)

    S34:E11

    Live from New York, it's... Jason Sudeikis! Sketches include "Blagojevich Testimony," "Bronx Beat," "Sarcastic Christmas Dinner," "Culhane Wedding Toasts," "Magical Lamps," "Cat Christmas Letter," and "Cookie Crimes" (Digital Short). Kayne West performed "Love Lockdown" and "Heartless."

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 13 - Rosario Dawson/Fleet Foxes
    6.3/10(134 votes)

    S34:E13

    Actress Rosario Dawson hosts; Fleet Foxes perform "Mykonos" and "Blue Ridge Mountains." Sketches include "Vice President Dick Cheney: The Final Interview," "North American Savings Commercial," "Da Learnin' Train," "Guantánamo Bay Liquidation Sale," "Aladdin and Jasmine's Anniversary," "Digital Short: Singing Narrator," "Gilly," "Weekend Update" with guests Bernard Madoff, Judy Grimes, and Larry the Goose, "La Policia Mexicana," "The View," and "Good Excuse!"

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, James Signorelli, Zach Merck
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad, Sidney Karger

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  21. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 9 - Tim McGraw/Ludacris/T-Pain
    6.2/10(115 votes)

    S34:E9

    Live from New York, it's... Fred Armisen! Sketches include "The Big Three Automakers," "Clear Rite," "Dateline NBC," "Turkey Chase," "Live Another Death," "Blizzard Man," "Jeff Montgomery," "Dale Britches' Down-Home Phony Phone Calls," and "Mark Payne."

    Directors:Don Roy King, John Solomon
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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  22. Saturday Night Live Season 34 Episode 1 - Michael Phelps/Lil Wayne
    5.7/10(189 votes)

    S34:E1

    Live from New York, it's... Tina Fey and Amy Poehler! Sketches include "A Non-Partisan Message from Governor Palin and Senator Clinton," "Quiz Bowl," "Jar Glove," "Swim Team Pep Talk," "Stacia and Cousin Craig," "The Charles Barkley Show," "T-Mobile," "Space Olympics 3022" (Digital Short), "Mark Payne," and "The Michael Phelps Diet." Lil' Wayne performed "Got Money" (featuring Mack Maine) and "Lollipop."

    Directors:Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, James Signorelli
    Writers:Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Jessica Conrad

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Season 34 Ratings Summary

"Justin Timberlake/Ciara" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 34. It scored 8.2/10 based on 262 votes. Directed by Don Roy King, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone and written by Paula Pell, Lorne Michaels, Erik Kenward, John Lutz, Steve Higgins, Jorma Taccone, Emily Spivey, Seth Meyers, John Mulaney, Bryan Tucker, James Anderson, John Solomon, Simon Rich, Akiva Schaffer, Marika Sawyer, Kent Sublette, Colin Jost, Jim Downey, Alex Baze, Doug Abeles, Rob Klein, Jessica Conrad, it aired on 5/9/2009. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "Paul Rudd/Beyonce".