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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 7

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 7 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 7!

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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 7 Episode 1 - (no host)/Rod Stewart
    6.4/10(116 votes)

    #1 - (no host)/Rod Stewart

    S7:E1

    Sketches include ""Our Age is Showing,"" ""The Little Richard Simmons Show,"" ""The Clams"" (film), ""Nuns on the Beach,"" ""A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney,"" ""Prose and Cons"" (film), ""The Khaddaffi Look,"" ""Ruth Deals With Rod,"" ""Andy Warhol,"" Juggling with Michael Davis, and ""Season of Glass"" (film).

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Jerry Ansel, Laurie Frank, Yoko Ono
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Michael O'Donoghue, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 2 - Susan Saint James/The Kinks
    5.9/10(104 votes)

    #2 - Susan Saint James/The Kinks

    S7:E2

    Sketches include ""McDonald & Wife,"" ""The Bizarro World,"" ""Buckwheat Sings,"" ""Skanky Fiancee,"" ""Cheap Laffs,"" and ""The Alan Alda Guide to Sensitivity."" The Kinks performed ""Destroyer"" and Christine Ebersole performed ""Single Bars and Single Women."" Also featured is an Anwar Sadat tribute film.

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Michael O'Donoghue, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 3 - George Kennedy/Miles Davis
    6.8/10(94 votes)

    #3 - George Kennedy/Miles Davis

    S7:E3

    Sketches include ""To Tell the Truth Gone Awry,"" ""Mister Robinson's Neighborhood #2,"" ""Velvet Jones #1,"" and ""Harry Anderson's Grappler Tricks.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Walter Williams
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Michael O'Donoghue, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 4 - Donald Pleasence/Fear
    6.5/10(106 votes)

    #4 - Donald Pleasence/Fear

    S7:E4

    Sketches include ""Vomiting for Luck,"" ""Jogger Motel,"" ""Profiles in British Courage,"" ""Last Night I Killed My Husband"" (musical number), ""Sugar Breakfast"" and ""Andy Warhol's TV."" Fear performed ""I Don't Care About You"" and medley of ""Beef Bologna,"" ""New York's Alright If You Like Saxophones,"" and ""Let's Have A War.""

    Directors:Andy Warhol, Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Michael O'Donoghue, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 5 - Lauren Hutton/Rick James
    6.1/10(98 votes)

    #5 - Lauren Hutton/Rick James

    S7:E5

    Sketches Include: "Here's 'Cos", "Dressing Room", "Hail To The Chief", "Transeastern", "Whisper", "Cheap Laffs", "Harlequin Romances", "Reach Out", "Velvet Jones School of Technology", "Big Baser", "William Burroughs", "Bitter People"

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Tom Schiller
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Michael O'Donoghue, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 6 - Bernadette Peters/The Go-Go's, Billy Joel
    6.5/10(93 votes)

    #6 - Bernadette Peters/The Go-Go's, Billy Joel

    S7:E6

    No description available

    Directors:Dave Wilson, William Wegman
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Michael O'Donoghue, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 7 - Tim Curry/Meat Loaf
    6.5/10(96 votes)

    #7 - Tim Curry/Meat Loaf

    S7:E7

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Michael O'Donoghue, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 8 - Bill Murray/The Spinners, Yale Whiffenpoofs
    6.4/10(112 votes)

    #8 - Bill Murray/The Spinners, Yale Whiffenpoofs

    S7:E8

    Sketches include ""The Phone Company,"" ""Tales of the Unlikely,"" ""Washed-Up Tom Snyder,"" ""MX-5 Tampons,"" and ""The Economics of Christmas."" The Spinners perform ""I'll Be Around.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Michael O'Donoghue, Jim Downey, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 9 - Robert Conrad/The Allman Brothers Band
    6.2/10(93 votes)

    #9 - Robert Conrad/The Allman Brothers Band

    S7:E9

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 10 - John Madden/Jennifer Holliday
    6.2/10(96 votes)

    #10 - John Madden/Jennifer Holliday

    S7:E10

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 11 - James Coburn/Lindsey Buckingham
    5.8/10(95 votes)

    #11 - James Coburn/Lindsey Buckingham

    S7:E11

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 12 - Bruce Dern/Luther Vandross
    5.7/10(88 votes)

    #12 - Bruce Dern/Luther Vandross

    S7:E12

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 13 - Elizabeth Ashley/Hall and Oates
    6.9/10(91 votes)

    #13 - Elizabeth Ashley/Hall and Oates

    S7:E13

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 14 - Robert Urich/Mink DeVille
    5.9/10(80 votes)

    #14 - Robert Urich/Mink DeVille

    S7:E14

    Sketches include ""He's No Burt Reynolds,"" ""Paul Harvey Radio News,"" ""Golden Age Obedience School,"" and ""Koala Bear Embryo."" Mink De Ville performed ""Maybe Tomorrow.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 15 - Blythe Danner/Rickie Lee Jones
    5.8/10(89 votes)

    #15 - Blythe Danner/Rickie Lee Jones

    S7:E15

    Sketches include ""Lorne Greene,"" ""The New Celibacy,"" ""20/20,"" ""The Uncle Tom Show,"" ""Senior Spring Fling '82,"" ""Meet the People,"" and ""Help Out Blythe Danner."" Rickie Lee Jones performed ""Pirates"" and ""Lush Life.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Gerald Cotts
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 16 - Daniel J. Travanti/John Cougar
    6.0/10(89 votes)

    #16 - Daniel J. Travanti/John Cougar

    S7:E16

    Sketches include ""Save Larry the Lobster,"" ""Whiners' Anniversary,"" ""Hill Street Blues,"" ""Too Many Ethel Mermans,"" and ""Career Corner."" John Cougar Mellencamp performed ""Hurts So Good.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 17 - Johnny Cash/Elton John
    7.2/10(112 votes)

    #17 - Johnny Cash/Elton John

    S7:E17

    Elton John performs the John Lennon tribute ""Empty Garden."" Sketches include ""Velvet Jones"" and ""Shadows.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 18 - Robert Culp/The Charlie Daniels Band
    5.8/10(82 votes)

    #18 - Robert Culp/The Charlie Daniels Band

    S7:E18

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 19 - Danny DeVito/Sparks
    6.6/10(91 votes)

    #19 - Danny DeVito/Sparks

    S7:E19

    Sketches include ""Louis DePalma's Revenge,"" ""The Executive Test,"" ""The Whiners on an Airplane,"" ""Solomon and Pudge,"" ""Enzo,"" and ""Looks at Books."" Sparks performs ""Mickey Mouse."" Also, Brian Doyle-Murray interviews recently humbled actor-wrestler Andy Kaufman.

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 7 Episode 20 - Olivia Newton-John
    7.0/10(97 votes)

    #20 - Olivia Newton-John

    S7:E20

    Sketches include ""Ebony & Ivory,"" ""I Married a Monkey,"" Grease, ""Hitler In Heaven,"" and ""Ballpark Organ Favorites."" ONJ performs the hit ""Physical"" in lieu of the opening monologue.

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Rosie Shuster, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler

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Season 7 Ratings Summary

"(no host)/Rod Stewart" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 7. It scored 6.4/10 based on 116 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson, Jerry Ansel, Laurie Frank, Yoko Ono and written by Rosie Shuster, Michael O'Donoghue, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Brian Doyle-Murray, Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Tony Rosato, Joe Bodolai, Nate Herman, Nelson Lyon, Mark O'Donnell, Terry Southern, Eliot Wald, it aired on 10/3/1981. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "Susan Saint James/The Kinks".