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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 5

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 5!

Binge this in 22h 20m•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 5 Episode 19 - Steve Martin/Paul and Linda McCartney
    7.6/10(125 votes)

    S5:E19

    Sketches include: ""Father Guido Sarducci, Live from London,"" ""Real Incredible People,"" ""Stretch Marks Record Offer,"" ""Reagan's Dinner,"" and ""The Hominids."" 3-D performed ""All-Night Television.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 1 - Steve Martin/Blondie
    7.5/10(158 votes)

    S5:E1

    Sketches include ""The Pope's Doorman,"" ""Craig's Travellers' Checks,"" ""Free Spanish Lesson,"" ""Juvenile Delinquent Vandal,"" ""Rise,"" ""Carole King,"" ""The David Susskind Show,"" ""Bolshoi Ballet,"" ""The All-New Mr. Bill Show,"" ""What the Hell is That?"". Blondie performs "Dreaming" and "The Hardest Part".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 2 - Eric Idle/Bob Dylan
    7.4/10(139 votes)

    S5:E2

    Sketches include ""Eric's Sick,"" ""Hotel-Motel Art Fair,"" ""Mr. Howard's Shoe Store,"" ""Prince Charles Tells You How To Pick Up Girls!,"" ""Hardcore II,"" ""Heavy Sarcasm,"" and ""Ask Elvis."" Bob Dylan performs ""Gotta Serve Somebody,"" ""I Believe In You,"" and ""When You Gonna Wake Up.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 7 - Martin Sheen/David Bowie
    7.3/10(137 votes)

    S5:E7

    Sketches include ""Quick Sex Change Operation,"" ""Le Shoe,"" ""Afraid of the Dark,"" ""Striking Teachers,"" ""Apocolypse Now,"" ""First Love, Part 2,"" ""Foreveready,"" ""Criminals,"" ""Minota AM-3 Camera,"" ""Revisions of Freudian History,"" ""Martin Sheen Hairspray""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 20 - Buck Henry/Andrew Gold
    7.3/10(111 votes)

    S5:E20

    Live from New York, it's Harry Shearer! Sketches include "Election '80: Almost Halfway Over," "The SNL Stars of the Future" monologue, "Lord and Lady Douchebag," "Uncle Roy," and "Nick at Trader Nick's."

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 13 - Rodney Dangerfield/J. Geils Band
    7.1/10(128 votes)

    S5:E13

    Sketches include-- Dressing Room opening, Dr. Shockley's House of Sperm, Niggerands, Manhasset, The Subsitute Judge, Celebrity Corner: Bill Murray talks with Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow.

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 4 - Buck Henry/Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    6.8/10(117 votes)

    S5:E4

    Sketches include ""Rush Home to the Bathroom,"" ""Find the Popes in the Pizza Contest drawing,"" ""Nerds #12,"" ""Harley's Bristol Cream"" and ""Banshee"" commercial parodies, and one of Aviva Slesin's ""First Love"" films.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 17 - Strother Martin/The Specials
    6.7/10(109 votes)

    S5:E17

    The host for the episode is Strother Martin, and the musical guest is The Specials. The skits for this episode are as follows: Rosalyn Carter talks about sections of the 1980 census intended for illegal aliens, including questions about how they got into the US, where they would hide if the INS came to their homes, and how much they would be willing to do housework for. During his opening monologue, Strother Martin reveals that he was asked to host the show because Lorne Michaels mistook him for Tennessee Williams, and so far he's been keeping up the act. At Camp Beau Soleil, the campers are forced to learn French by the brutal camp counselor, Le Capitain, but a camper named Luke is determined to escape. Additional skits include a variety show will, the Conductor's Club, Any Town, and Food. The Specials perform "Gangsters" and "Too Much, Too Young".

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 18 - Bob Newhart/The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Bruce Cockburn
    6.6/10(103 votes)

    S5:E18

    Sketches include ""Mysteries of the Universe,"" ""The Dating Zone,"" ""Writing Home,"" and ""Mr. Bill."" The Amazing Rhythm Aces (featuring Bill Murray) perform ""Third-Rate Romance.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 9 - Teri Garr/The B-52's
    6.5/10(111 votes)

    S5:E9

    Sketches include ""Paul McCartney in Japan: Day 11,"" ""Craig's,"" ""Somewhere Near Mason City, Iowa,"" ""Debs Behind Bars,"" ""Anchovy Council of America,"" ""Bad Playhouse,"" ""Baby Casting Director,"" and ""The Mr. Bill Show."" The B-52's perform ""Rock Lobster"" and ""Dance This Mess Around.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 10 - Chevy Chase/Marianne Faithfull
    6.5/10(117 votes)

    S5:E10

    Live from New York, it's…Chevy Chase! Sketches include ""Henry Kissinger and Gerald Ford,"" ""Pre-Chewed Charlies,"" The Bel Airabs, ""You Can't Win,"" Speaking of Fashion, ""Linden Palmer, Hollywood's Forgotten Director,"" and ""Honduras.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 11 - Elliott Gould/Gary Numan
    6.4/10(105 votes)

    S5:E11

    Sketches include ""Kramer vs. Godzilla,"" ""The Incredible Man,"" Andy Aaron's film ""Get Rid of That Building,"" and ""All-Time Radio.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, James Signorelli
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 12 - Kirk Douglas/Sam and Dave
    6.4/10(116 votes)

    S5:E12

    Sketches include ""Kirk's Greatest Kirks,"" ""What If?,"" ""Arlene Meets Kirk Douglas,"" ""Greg's Bar Mitzvah,"" ""Prime Time Saturday,"" and ""Mask of Fear""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 6 - Howard Hesseman/Randy Newman
    6.3/10(115 votes)

    S5:E6

    Sketches include the ""Steve Marvin Radio Show"" and the debut of ""The Al Franken Decade.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 14 - Paul Simon/James Taylor
    6.3/10(108 votes)

    S5:E14

    Sketches include ""Anniversary Seance,"" ""Todd's Campaign,"" ""The Biggest Leprechaun,"" ""The Flogging Musicians,"" ""Talk or Die,"" and ""The David Susskind Show."" Paul Simon and James Taylor perform ""Cathy's Clown / Take Me to the Mardi Gras"" and David Sanborn performs ""Anything You Want.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 5 - Bea Arthur/The Roches
    6.2/10(119 votes)

    S5:E5

    Sketches include ""Sex Change,"" ""The Backers' Audition,"" and ""First, He Cries.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 3 - Bill Russell/Chicago
    6.1/10(115 votes)

    S5:E3

    Sketches include ""Kennedy in '80,"" ""Banshee,"" ""The Black Shadow,"" ""The Landers Files,"" ""Mr. Bill at Home,"" ""Nick in the Arctic,"" ""Eleanor Roosevelt,"" ""Sports Hot Line,"" and ""Big n' Tall That's All."" Chicago performs their 1970 hit ""I'm a Man"" and their then-current single ""Street Player.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 15 - Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss/The Grateful Dead
    6.1/10(101 votes)

    S5:E15

    Sketches include ""Women Empowerment"" and ""Hotel Room/Smell You.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 8 - Ted Knight/Desmond Child and Rouge
    5.8/10(108 votes)

    S5:E8

    Sketches include A Christmas Gift from The Shah, Nerds Nativity, and Java Junkie.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 5 Episode 16 - Burt Reynolds/Anne Murray
    5.8/10(108 votes)

    S5:E16

    Sketches include ""Burt's Not Angry,"" ""Vomitorium,"" ""The Burt Book,"" ""Be a Pepper,"" and ""Baba Wawa at Large."" Anne Murray performs ""Lucky Me.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley

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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Steve Martin/Paul and Linda McCartney" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 5. It scored 7.6/10 based on 125 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson and written by Don Novello, Lorne Michaels, Tom Davis, Anne Beatts, Tom Schiller, Alan Zweibel, Al Franken, Herbert Sargent, Rosie Shuster, Jim Downey, Brian Doyle-Murray, Peter Aykroyd, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, Matt Neuman, Harry Shearer, Sarah Paley, it aired on 5/17/1980. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Steve Martin/Blondie".