Saturday Night Live backdrop

Saturday Night Live poster

Comedy•News

The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 8

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 8 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 8!

Binge this in 22h 20m•Peaking at 7.8/10

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

Seasons51

All 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

#1 Fan Favorite
7.8/10(140 votes)
#1 - Chevy Chase/Queen
S8:E19/25/1982
Sketches are ""Chevy Live from Burbank,"" ""Tyrone Green Art Gallery,"" ""Joe Piscopo In Love,"" ""John Hinckley for President,"" ""Mystery Theatre,"" ""Popeil Galactic Prophylactic,"" ""Late Night with David Letterman,"" and ""PTC Club."" Queen performs ""Crazy Little Thing Called Love"" and ""Under Pressure.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Gerald Cotts, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, Gerald Cotts, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé
7.1/10(102 votes)
#2 - Louis Gossett Jr./George Thorogood and the Destroyers
S8:E210/2/1982
Sketches include Mister Robinson's Neighborhood #4.
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
7.6/10(128 votes)
#3 - Ron Howard/The Clash
S8:E310/9/1982
Sketches include "Opie's Back", "Whiners Want a Baby" and "Focus On Film". The Clash performs "Rock The Casbah".
Directors:Dave Wilson, Bruce Murray
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, Bruce Murray
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
7.1/10(105 votes)
#4 - Howard Hesseman/Men at Work
S8:E410/23/1982
No description available
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
6.6/10(113 votes)
#5 - Michael Keaton/The New Joe Jackson Band
S8:E510/30/1982
No description available
Directors:Dave Wilson, Elbert Budin, John Fox
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, Elbert Budin, John Fox
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
6.1/10(104 votes)
#6 - Robert Blake/Kenny Loggins
S8:E611/13/1982
Sketches include ""The Merv Griffin Show,"" ""Shuttle Mission,"" ""PBS Promo,"" ""Talent Show,"" ""Little House on the Prairie,"" ""Masterful Theatre,"" ""Eddie Murphy,"" ""No More Andy Kaufman,"" ""DTV""
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo

The 20 BEST Episodes of Saturday Night Live

7.0/10(121 votes)
#7 - Drew Barrymore/Squeeze
S8:E711/20/1982
Sketches include ""Dressing Room Opening,"" ""Gertie Kills E.T.,"" ""The Whiners,"" ""Mr. Blunt,"" ""Tim Kazurinsky Babysits Drew,"" ""My Friend Zeus,"" ""Robin Duke's Biological Clock""
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
6.8/10(105 votes)
#8 - The Smothers Brothers/Laura Branigan
S8:E812/4/1982
No description available
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
7.8/10(129 votes)
#9 - Eddie Murphy/Lionel Richie
S8:E912/11/1982
Sketches include ""A Message From Eddie,"" ""Merry Christmas, Dammit!,"" and ""April May June's Holiday Message.""
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
6.2/10(110 votes)
#10 - Lily Tomlin
S8:E101/22/1983
Sketches include ""Lily Confronts Eddie,"" ""Geraldine,"" ""Irish-American Radio Hour,"" and ""Coffees of the World.""
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo, Jane Wagner
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo, Jane Wagner
7.1/10(107 votes)
#11 - Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas/The Bus Boys
S8:E111/29/1983
No description available
Directors:Dave Wilson, John Fox
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, John Fox
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
6.4/10(101 votes)
#12 - Sid Caesar/Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
S8:E122/5/1983
No description available
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
6.9/10(96 votes)
#13 - Howard Hesseman/Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
S8:E132/19/1983
Sketches are ""Howard Works on his Monologue,"" ""Sleepy Boy 2000,"" ""Elvis Presley, Back and Black,"" ""The A-Team,"" and ""Dion and Margie's Dreams."" Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers perform ""Change of Heart"" and ""The Waiting.""
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
6.1/10(100 votes)
#14 - Beau Bridges, Jeff Bridges/Randy Newman
S8:E142/26/1983
No description available
Directors:Dave Wilson, Anthony Lover
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, Anthony Lover
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
6.7/10(91 votes)
#15 - Bruce Dern/Leon Redbone
S8:E153/12/1983
No description available
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo
7.0/10(95 votes)
#16 - Robert Guillaume/Duran Duran
S8:E163/19/1983
Tim Kazurinsky was attacked by the monkey during the dress rehearsal of ""I Married A Monkey."" Tim was able to escape, but the monkey (actually a male) ripped off the dress he was wearing and began pleasuring himself.
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
7.7/10(101 votes)
#17 - Joan Rivers/Musical Youth
S8:E174/9/1983
No description available
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo, Joan Rivers
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo, Joan Rivers
6.8/10(90 votes)
#18 - Susan Saint James/Michael McDonald
S8:E184/16/1983
No description available
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Dave Wilson
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
7.6/10(105 votes)
#19 - Stevie Wonder
S8:E194/16/1983
Sketches include ""VD,"" ""Kannon AE-1,"" ""Stevie Wonder Impersonator,"" ""Hitler: The Secret Diaries,"" ""The Story of Stevie Wonder,"" ""Stevie at Dion's Salon,"" ""Cotton Land,"" and ""The Hunchback Busboy."" Wonder performs the songs ""Fingertips,"" ""Overjoyed,"" and ""Go Home.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
7.0/10(95 votes)
#20 - Ed Koch/Dexys Midnight Runners
S8:E205/14/1983
Sketches include ""What's the most disgusting thing you've seen in New York?"" ""Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood,"" ""Crowded Ledge,"" ""The Enquirer,"" ""Late Night with David Letterman,"" and ""Woman's Auxillery Meeting."" Dexy's Midnight Runners perform ""Come On, Eileen,"" while Kevin Rowland performs ""The Celtic Soul Brothers.""
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
Writers:Barry W. Blaustein, Pamela Norris, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, Joe Piscopo

Season 8 Ratings Summary

"Chevy Chase/Queen" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 8. It scored 7.8/10 based on 140 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson, Gerald Cotts, Claude Kerven and written by Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Paul Barrosse, Robin Duke, Ellen L. Fogle, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Tracy Tormé, it aired on 9/25/1982. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "Louis Gossett Jr./George Thorogood and the Destroyers".