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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 4

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 4!

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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 4 Episode 1 - The Rolling Stones
    7.5/10(159 votes)

    #1 - The Rolling Stones

    S4:E1

    Live from New York, it's Dan Aykroyd! Sketches include "Garrett Morris and the National Broadcasting Orchestra," "Mayor Koch Honors John Belushi," the commercial parody "Autoscent," Tomorrow, "Nerds Meet the Norge Refrigerator Repairman," "Olympia Restaurant #4," Tom Schiller's Sushi By the Pool, "Paul McCartney and John Lennon Reunion," "Danger Probe."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 2 - Fred Willard/Devo
    7.3/10(146 votes)

    #2 - Fred Willard/Devo

    S4:E2

    Sketches include--"Honker in the Audience", "Two Guys Who Are Lawyers", "Aging Stuntman Cliff Preston", "One-Night-Stand vs. Phone Talk", "Mr. Bill Goes To N.Y.", "Bobbi Farber", "Crossroads", "Scotch Boutique", "Booji Boy"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 3 - Frank Zappa
    6.5/10(152 votes)

    #3 - Frank Zappa

    S4:E3

    Sketches include "Fred Silverman," "Coneheads," "Domestic Prison," "Night on Freak Mountain," "Woman to Woman," "The Al Franken and Tom Davis Show," "Mr. Bill"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, James Signorelli
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 4 - Steve Martin/Van Morrison
    7.9/10(146 votes)

    #4 - Steve Martin/Van Morrison

    S4:E4

    Live from New York, it's...President Dan Aykroyd! Sketches include "A Message From the President of the United States", "Where's the Cracker, Steve?", "Elvis Presley's Coat", "What If?", "Theodoric of York, Medieval Judge", "Festrunk Brothers at a Fox Bar," "The Nerds at the Hospital", "Looks At Books", and "Annoying Waiter".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 5 - Buck Henry/The Grateful Dead
    6.7/10(129 votes)

    #5 - Buck Henry/The Grateful Dead

    S4:E5

    Sketches include--"Concession Speech,", "Rovco Chinch Canch" commercial parody, "Samurai Optometrist," "Uncle Roy #1," "The Death Of Rasputin," "Nick Sands, the Lounge Singer," More Flu To Worry About, and "St. Mickey's Knights of Columbus."

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 6 - Carrie Fisher/The Blues Brothers
    8.0/10(195 votes)

    #6 - Carrie Fisher/The Blues Brothers

    S4:E6

    Live from New York, it's....Garrett Morris! The Blues Brothers open the show by performing Soul Man. Carrie comes out dressed as Princess Leia for her monologue, telling a joke that only the voice of Obi Won (Dan Aykroyd) likes. This leads into Beach Blanket Bimbo from Outer Space, "The Loud Family," Mercy Killers, the Blues Brothers' performance of Almost and B-Movie Boxcar Blues, "Mr. Bill's Fishing Trip," Tomorrow, "Bad Red Chinese Ballet," and the Schiller film Arrividerci Roman.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, Tom Schiller, James Signorelli
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 7 - Walter Matthau/Garrett Morris
    7.3/10(126 votes)

    #7 - Walter Matthau/Garrett Morris

    S4:E7

    Sketches include--"Fred Silverman", "Super Epoxy-Dent", "The Bad News Bees", "Olympia Cafe", "Daughter's Old Room", "Nixon's Conspirator, "Woman to Woman", "Government Surplus Store", "Network Battle of the T's & A's", "Mr. Bill Is Late"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, James Signorelli
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 8 - Eric Idle/Kate Bush
    7.8/10(191 votes)

    #8 - Eric Idle/Kate Bush

    S4:E8

    Sketches include "Telepsychic Ray," "Julia Child," "Madrigal," "The Woman He Loved," "What Do You?", "Candy Slice," "Consumer Probe," "Singing Dog Agent," and "Cochise at Oxford".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 9 - Elliott Gould/Peter Tosh with Mick Jagger
    6.3/10(127 votes)

    #9 - Elliott Gould/Peter Tosh with Mick Jagger

    S4:E9

    Sketches include "White House Lawn Special Event," "Rovco All-Flammable Christmas Tree," "The Widettes," "Mommie Dearest," "Scotch and Spirits," "Bob and Ray," "St. Mickey's Knights of Columbus," and "Honker Works the Christmas Lot".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 10 - Michael Palin/The Doobie Brothers
    7.2/10(125 votes)

    #10 - Michael Palin/The Doobie Brothers

    S4:E10

    Sketches include "State of the Union Address: Preparation I," "Palin's Socks Monologue," "Mr. Brighton Returns to the Nerds," "Miles Cowperthwaite, Part One," "What If Superman Grew Up in Germany?" and "Name the Bats." Weekend Update features "Chico Escuela's Super Bowl Recap" and "Father Guido Sarducci's Bill for The Last Brunch."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 11 - Cicely Tyson/Talking Heads
    7.0/10(127 votes)

    #11 - Cicely Tyson/Talking Heads

    S4:E11

    Sketches include "Cicely Confronts Garrett Monologue," "Nick Rails, the Train Lounge Singer," and "The Widettes."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 12 - Rick Nelson/Judy Collins
    7.3/10(141 votes)

    #12 - Rick Nelson/Judy Collins

    S4:E12

    Live from New York, it's...John Belushi! Sketches include "WGN Morning Show," "The Twilight Zone," "Helium," "¿Quien Es Mas Macho?," and "Rock Against Yeast '79." Judy Collins performed "Hard Times for Lovers."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 13 - Kate Jackson/Delbert McClinton
    6.6/10(123 votes)

    #13 - Kate Jackson/Delbert McClinton

    S4:E13

    Sketches include "Charlie's Angels," "Nerds," "Fred Silverman," "Child Psychiatrist," "Andy Kaufman," "Kate Jackson and Fred Silverman," "Bad Cabaret For Children," "Coneheads"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 14 - Gary Busey/Gary Busey with Rick Danko and Paul Butterfield, Eubie Blake
    6.9/10(118 votes)

    #14 - Gary Busey/Gary Busey with Rick Danko and Paul Butterfield, Eubie Blake

    S4:E14

    Live from New York, it's...John Belushi! Sketches include: "Breaking the Ice with Belushi" "Billy Carter" "Women's Problems" "The Unsung Heroes of Rock n Roll" "The Slopjockey" "Bill Murray Talks With Mrs. Ed." Gregory Hines joins Eubie Blake in singing Low-down Blues, I'm Just Simply Full Of Jazz and I'm Just Wild About Harry. Busey and Paul Butterfield perform Stay All Night.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 15 - Margot Kidder/The Chieftains
    7.1/10(124 votes)

    #15 - Margot Kidder/The Chieftains

    S4:E15

    Live from New York, it's...John Belushi! Sketches include "WGN Radio Live at Doyle's Tavern," "The Navy," "Fred Garvin: Male Prostitute," "St. Mickey's Knights of Columbus," "Superhero Party," The Franken and Davis Show, "Men's Problems," and The Mr. Bill Show. The Chieftains perform If I Had Maggie In The Woods and Morning Dew.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, James Signorelli
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 16 - Richard Benjamin/Rickie Lee Jones
    7.4/10(122 votes)

    #16 - Richard Benjamin/Rickie Lee Jones

    S4:E16

    Sketches include "The Pepsi Syndrome," "The Nerds In Love," and "Scottish Restaurant." Jones performs his hit "Chuck E's In Love."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli, Aviva Slesin
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 17 - Milton Berle/Ornette Coleman
    5.9/10(129 votes)

    #17 - Milton Berle/Ornette Coleman

    S4:E17

    Sketches include "Texaco Star Theater Intro," "The Widettes," "On The Spot," and "Milton's Writers." Ornette Coleman played "Times Square."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 18 - Michael Palin/James Taylor
    7.2/10(123 votes)

    #18 - Michael Palin/James Taylor

    S4:E18

    Sketches include "Mother's Day Monologue," "Miles Cowperthwaite, Part Two: I Am Nailed to the Hull," and "Black-Market Gasoline." Weekend Update includes "Margaret Thathcer Interview."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, James Signorelli
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 19 - Maureen Stapleton/Linda Ronstadt, Phoebe Snow
    6.8/10(111 votes)

    #19 - Maureen Stapleton/Linda Ronstadt, Phoebe Snow

    S4:E19

    Live from New York, it's... Dan Aykroyd! Sketches include "Telepsychic Ray," "Nick Wings, the Airport VIP Lounge Singer," and "Idi Amin Holes Out."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 4 Episode 20 - Buck Henry/Bette Midler
    7.8/10(139 votes)

    #20 - Buck Henry/Bette Midler

    S4:E20

    Sketches include "Mr. Bill at SNL," "Disco Roller Fishing Park," "Samurai Bakery," "Uncle Roy," "Watergate Was a Joke," and "Olympia Cafe." Bette Midler performs a medley of standards.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, Tom Schiller
    Writers:Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams

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Season 4 Ratings Summary

"The Rolling Stones" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 4. It scored 7.5/10 based on 159 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson, James Signorelli and written by Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Don Novello, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Doyle-Murray, Brian McConnachie, Walter Williams, it aired on 10/7/1978. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Fred Willard/Devo".