Saturday Night Live backdrop
Comedy•News

The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 6

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 6 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 6!

Binge this in 14h 31m•Peaking at 7.2/10

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

Airs on
NBC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons51

All123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 1 - Elliott Gould/Kid Creole and the Coconuts
    6.0/10(126 votes)

    #1 - Elliott Gould/Kid Creole and the Coconuts

    S6:E1

    Sketches include: Elliot Gould Discusses SNL's Glory Days, A Public Service Announcement: Highway Education, Jimmy Carter's Libido, Billy-Gram, What's It All About, Gail Matthius's Breast Exam, Nose Wrestling, The Accordian Killer, Speed Listening, The Rocket Report, Valley Girl Vicky, Heart to Heart, Gidget Goes To Hell, and Foot Fetish. Kid Creole and the Coconuts perform: ""Mr. Softee"" and ""There But For The Grace of God Go I""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, Jonathan Demme, Randal Kleiser
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Nancy Dowd, Leslie Fuller, Sean Kelly, Mitchell Kriegman, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney, Jonathan Demme

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 2 - Malcolm McDowell/Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
    5.1/10(118 votes)

    #2 - Malcolm McDowell/Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band

    S6:E2

    Live from New York, it's...Gilbert Gottfried! Sketches include: Sitting Up Straight In The Electric Chair, Mutually Omaha's Wild Kingdom: In Search of the Negro Republican, Tobacco Growers of America, Serf City, Amy Carter Gets Adopted To The Reagans, Alex DeLarge For The American Milk Association, SNL Film: Showdown, Gothic Novel Shop, The 100 Years War, The Leather Weather Report, Commie Hunting, The Rocket Report, Jack The Stripper, SNL Film: Someone Is Hiding In My Apartment, and The Wine Cellar With Caroline Parker Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band perform: ""Hothead"" and ""Ashtray Heart""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Ken Friedman
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Nancy Dowd, Leslie Fuller, Sean Kelly, Mitchell Kriegman, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 3 - Ellen Burstyn/Aretha Franklin
    5.9/10(103 votes)

    #3 - Ellen Burstyn/Aretha Franklin

    S6:E3

    Sketches include ""A Message From David Rockefeller,"" ""Ed MacMahon School of Laughing,"" ""What It Is All About,"" ""The Rocket Report,"" ""Paulie Herman,"" ""Our Front Door,"" ""Pepe Gonzales,"" ""Valley Girls,"" ""Sam the Snake,"" ""The Toni Tenille Show,"" ""Fish Heads,"" ""Blame For Divorce,"" ""Old Lady""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Leon Ichaso, Bill Paxton
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Leslie Fuller, Mitchell Kriegman, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 4 - Jamie Lee Curtis/James Brown
    6.0/10(109 votes)

    #4 - Jamie Lee Curtis/James Brown

    S6:E4

    Live from New York, it's...Charles Rocket, Gail Matthius, and Denny Dillon! Sketches include: A Message From The Mean Majority, Clovin Hind Jeans Ad 1, The Attack Of The Terrible Snapping Creatures, Paulie Herman Plays 3-Card Monte, SNL Mini-Film: Who Is Gilbert Gottfried?, Dying To Be Heard, Poker and Drugs Don't Mix, Clovin Hind Jeans Ad 2, The Badger Convention, Clovin Hind Jeans Ad 3, Charles Rocket for The Tortu-Matic, Roweena's Cut and Curl, SNL Mini-Film: The Statue of Liberty Explosion, and Roadkill Burial Biker Gang. James Brown performs: Rapp Payback and a medley of his hits Ellen Shipley performs: Fotogenic

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Linda Lee Cadwell, Susanne Rostock, Martin Brest
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Leslie Fuller, Mitchell Kriegman, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 5 - David Carradine/Linda Ronstadt/Cast of 'The Pirates of Penzance'
    5.9/10(107 votes)

    #5 - David Carradine/Linda Ronstadt/Cast of 'The Pirates of Penzance'

    S6:E5

    Live from New York, it's...Joe Piscopo Sketches include ""Joe Piscopo Impersonates Don Pardo,"" ""Gun City,"" ""The Menswear Store,"" ""Vicky and Debbie at the Mall,"" ""The Rocket Report,"" ""Dylan and Guthrie,"" ""The Home Version of Dallas,"" ""Mr. Bill's Christmas,"" ""Kung Fu Christmas,"" ""The Harlem Heroin Experience,"" ""The Virgin Search"" (film), ""Dopenhagen and Happy Daze,"" ""Colonel Sanders' Funeral,"" ""The Dancing Man"" (film), and ""Welfare Counseling."" George Rose, Linda Ronstadt, Rex Smith and the cast of ""The Pirates of Penzance"" perform Christmas carols.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Linda Lee Cadwell, Walter Williams, Susanne Rostock, Mitchell Kriegman
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Leslie Fuller, Mitchell Kriegman, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 6 - Ray Sharkey/Jack Bruce and Friends
    5.4/10(99 votes)

    #6 - Ray Sharkey/Jack Bruce and Friends

    S6:E6

    Live from New York, it's…Eddie Murphy! Sketches include ""The Real Jimmy 'The Weasel' Fratiano,"" ""Work Time Beer,"" ""WASP Couple Interpretation,"" ""Citizens For A Better America,"" ""Jimmy Carter At The Bar,"" ""January 11th Celebration,"" ""Filming Lazlo's Confession,"" ""Have A Nice Day,"" ""White Baby Salesman,"" ""Surrogate Mothers,"" ""The Man With The Black Hat"" (film), ""Stop-A-Nut,"" ""The Waiter-Maker,"" ""Nonexsistant Product,"" and some stand-up by Eddie Murphy. Jack Bruce performed ""Dancing On Air"" and ""Livin' Without Ja.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, William Dear, Michael Nesmith
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Leslie Fuller, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

    READ
  7. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 7 - Karen Black/Cheap Trick, Stanley Clarke Trio
    5.9/10(100 votes)

    #7 - Karen Black/Cheap Trick, Stanley Clarke Trio

    S6:E7

    Live from New York, it's...Ann Risely Sketches include: White House Move Out, The Legendary Composers, Foundation For The Tragically Hip, The Livelys, Reagan's Vice President, The Rocket Report, Mona Lisa In Love, 60 Minutes, Patient Thoughts, Fair Dinkum Championship Finals, Neighbor Confrontation, Paulie Herman At The Diner, Saturday Night Live Action Figures, What's It All About, and National Handgun Association Cheap Trick performs: Baby Loves To Rock and ""Can't Stop It But I'm Gonna Try"" Stanley Clarke Trio performs: Wild Dog

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Scott Sorenson
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Leslie Fuller, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney, Mason Williams

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 8 - Robert Hays/14 Karat Soul, Joe 'King' Carrasco & The Crowns
    5.7/10(93 votes)

    #8 - Robert Hays/14 Karat Soul, Joe 'King' Carrasco & The Crowns

    S6:E8

    Sketches include ""America Not Held Hostage Anymore,"" ""Dazola,"" ""Love American Style,"" ""Disco Meltdown,"" ""Reaganco,"" ""Sports Central,"" ""Ballpark Organist at a Funeral,"" and ""Eddie Gets Promoted."" Joe Carrasco performs ""Don't Bug Me Baby.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, William Dear, Scott Sorenson
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Leslie Fuller, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 9 - Sally Kellerman/Jimmy Cliff
    5.5/10(90 votes)

    #9 - Sally Kellerman/Jimmy Cliff

    S6:E9

    Sketches Include: "Rocket Report", "Italian Stand-Up", "Name That Sin", "Was I Ever Red", "Iranian Joke Book", "Parent & Child", "Lean Acres", "Iranian Student Council", "Pillow Pets", and "Televised Trial"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Scott Sorenson, C.F. Bressler
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Leslie Fuller, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 10 - Deborah Harry/Funky 4 + 1 More
    6.3/10(101 votes)

    #10 - Deborah Harry/Funky 4 + 1 More

    S6:E10

    Sketches include "Is Frank Sinatra a Hoodlum?", "Don't Look In The Refrigerator", "Where's Cooder?", "Paulie in the Card Shop", "Sweethearts" (film), "Newsbreak", and "The Waxmans in SoHo". Deborah Harry performs "Come Back Jonee" and "Love T.K.O.". Funky 4 + 1 More performs ""That's The Joint".

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Leon Ichaso, Scott Sorenson
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Leslie Fuller, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney, Mark Reisman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 11 - Charlene Tilton/Todd Rundgren, Prince
    5.6/10(104 votes)

    #11 - Charlene Tilton/Todd Rundgren, Prince

    S6:E11

    Sketches include ""Rocko vs. Weindulah,"" ""I'll Get Charlie Rocket If It's The Last Thing I Do,"" ""Mister Robinson's Neighborhood,"" ""The Pork Queen,"" Charles Rocket and Charlene Tilton ride ""The Subway,"" ""A Fiddler Be On The Roof,"" ""Weekend Update,"" ""Nancy Reagan's Diary,"" ""The Competition,"" ""Speaking Out,"" ""Women Behind Bars,"" ""Submissive Sugar Daddies,"" ""Mary Louise's Birthday"" (musical number), ""After Midnight,"" and ""Who Shot C.R.?"" Todd Rundgren performed ""Healer"" and ""Time Heals""; Prince performed ""Party Up.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Scott Sorenson
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney, Mark Reisman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 12 - Bill Murray/Delbert McClinton
    7.2/10(109 votes)

    #12 - Bill Murray/Delbert McClinton

    S6:E12

    Sketches include ""It Just Doesn't Matter,"" ""Script In Development,"" ""Altered Walter,"" ""Nick On The Mississippi,"" and ""No Sex With Mary."" McClinton performs ""Shotgun Rider.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Mary Pat Kelly
    Writers:Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney, Mason Williams, Mark Reisman, Jeremy Stevens

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Saturday Night Live Season 6 Episode 13 - Chevy Chase/Jr. Walker and the All Stars
    7.1/10(102 votes)

    #13 - Chevy Chase/Jr. Walker and the All Stars

    S6:E13

    Live from New York, it's…Chevy Chase! Sketches include ""Mr. Bill and Chevy,"" ""I Married a Monkey,"" ""Jello,"" ""Same,"" and ""SNL is Improving."" The All-Stars perform How Sweet It Is.

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Ted Haimes
    Writers:Michael O'Donoghue, Matt Neuman, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Jean Doumanian, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney, Mark Reisman, Jeremy Stevens, Mitch Glazer, Judith Belushi-Pisano, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Tom Moore, Dirk Wittenborn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 6 Ratings Summary

"Elliott Gould/Kid Creole and the Coconuts" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 6. It scored 6/10 based on 126 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson, Walter Williams, Jonathan Demme, Randal Kleiser and written by Brian Doyle-Murray, Larry Arnstein, David Hurwitz, Barry W. Blaustein, Billy Brown, Mel Green, Ferris Butler, John DeBellis, Jean Doumanian, Nancy Dowd, Leslie Fuller, Sean Kelly, Mitchell Kriegman, Patricia Marx, Douglas McGrath, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Terry Sweeney, Jonathan Demme, it aired on 11/15/1980. This episode is rated 0.9 points higher than the second-best, "Malcolm McDowell/Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band".