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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 9

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 9 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 9!

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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 9 Episode 1 - Brandon Tartikoff/John Cougar
    6.1/10(98 votes)

    #1 - Brandon Tartikoff/John Cougar

    S9:E1

    Sketches include ""In Brandon's Office,"" ""NBC Junket,"" ""Gumby's Rehearsal,"" ""Larry's Corner,"" and ""Whiner Show Ideas."" John Cougar Mellancamp performs ""Tumblin' Down"" and ""Pink Houses.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 2 - Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman/Eddy Grant
    6.3/10(106 votes)

    #2 - Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman/Eddy Grant

    S9:E2

    Sketches are ""Calvin Klein Cream Pies,"" ""Mister Robinson's Neighborhood,"" ""Crazy Edelman,"" ""Book Beat,"" ""What Would Frank Do?"" ""Amos n' Andy,"" and ""Spanish Class."" Eddy Grant performs ""I Don't Wanna Dance,"" ""Electric Avenue,"" and ""Living on the Front Line.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 3 - John Candy/Men at Work
    6.3/10(104 votes)

    #3 - John Candy/Men at Work

    S9:E3

    Sketches include ""Jim and Mr. Mambo,"" ""Doc Edmund,"" ""Village of the Damned Little Rascals,"" ""Eddie Murphy in the Suburbs,"" ""Dr. Tongue's Offer,"" ""Candace's Fantasy Shack,"" and ""Prison for the Winter."" Men at Work perform ""Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Jive.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Tino Insana

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 4 - Betty Thomas/Stray Cats
    6.0/10(102 votes)

    #4 - Betty Thomas/Stray Cats

    S9:E4

    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, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 5 - Teri Garr/Mick Fleetwood's Zoo
    6.0/10(101 votes)

    #5 - Teri Garr/Mick Fleetwood's Zoo

    S9:E5

    Sketches include ""Cheerleader Practice,"" ""Mister Robinson's Neighborhood,"" ""History: The Real Story,"" ""School Assembly,"" and ""Caffiene Achievers."" The Zoo (featuring Lindsey Buckingham) performs ""Tonight.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Michael C. McCarthy

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 6 - Jerry Lewis/Loverboy
    5.9/10(104 votes)

    #6 - Jerry Lewis/Loverboy

    S9:E6

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy, Jerry Lewis

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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 9 Episode 7 - The Smothers Brothers/Big Country
    5.6/10(103 votes)

    #7 - The Smothers Brothers/Big Country

    S9:E7

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 8 - Flip Wilson/Stevie Nicks
    6.2/10(102 votes)

    #8 - Flip Wilson/Stevie Nicks

    S9:E8

    No description available

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 9 - Father Guido Sarducci/Huey Lewis and the News
    5.6/10(99 votes)

    #9 - Father Guido Sarducci/Huey Lewis and the News

    S9:E9

    Sketches are ""National Phone-In Democratic Primary,"" ""Tasteless Choice,"" ""The Ghost of Buckwheat,"" ""Countdown '84: The Candidates,"" ""Nice Boys Don't Get Girls Pregnant,"" and ""Phone-In Results."" The News perform ""Heart & Soul"" and ""I Want a New Drug.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 10 - Michael Palin, Mary Palin/The Motels
    6.1/10(100 votes)

    #10 - Michael Palin, Mary Palin/The Motels

    S9:E10

    Sketches include ""Donahue,"" ""Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood,"" and ""Powerful Living Snaps."" The Motels perform ""Suddenly Last Summer.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Anthony Lover
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 11 - Don Rickles/Billy Idol
    7.7/10(103 votes)

    #11 - Don Rickles/Billy Idol

    S9:E11

    Live From New York, it's... Joe Piscopo! Sketches include ""TV President,"" ""Kannon AE-1,"" ""I Married A Monkey,"" ""The Hamlisch Maneuver,"" ""Fascinating People And Their Friends,"" ""Witness Protection,"" ""Romeo and Juilet,"" ""El Dorko and Becky,"" and ""This Is Your Afterlife."" Billy Idol performed ""White Wedding"" and ""Rebel Yell.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 12 - Robin Williams/Adam Ant
    6.7/10(118 votes)

    #12 - Robin Williams/Adam Ant

    S9:E12

    Sketches include ""Olympic Coverage,"" ""Rock & Roll ...and then some,"" ""Gandhi & The Bandit,"" ""Firing Line,"" and ""MTV News."" Adam Ant performs ""Strip.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven, Henry Holtzman
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 13 - Jamie Lee Curtis/The Fixx
    6.5/10(104 votes)

    #13 - Jamie Lee Curtis/The Fixx

    S9:E13

    Sketches include ""Rappin' Jimmy B.,"" ""Semi-Competant Video Store Clerk,"" ""The Julia Show,"" ""Jimmy and Jamie Lee Rehearse,"" ""People Transit,"" and ""Texxon."" The Fixx performs ""One Thing Leads to Another.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 14 - Edwin Newman/Kool & the Gang
    6.4/10(96 votes)

    #14 - Edwin Newman/Kool & the Gang

    S9:E14

    Sketches include ""SNL Hairdressers,"" ""Edwin Newman and James Brown,"" and ""Prose and Cons."" Kool & the Gang perform ""Celebrate.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Henry Holtzman
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 15 - Billy Crystal/Al Jarreau
    6.1/10(105 votes)

    #15 - Billy Crystal/Al Jarreau

    S9:E15

    Sketches include ""St. Patrick's Day Party,"" ""Hung Like Me,"" ""Unexplained Questions of the Universe."" ""Family in the Attic,"" ""Bad Career Moves,"" ""Ronald Reagen and Sammy Davis, Jr.,"" ""God's Place,"" ""The Womb,"" and ""SNL's First Episode."" Al Jarreau sang ""Mornin'"" and ""Trouble In Paradise.""

    Director:Dave Wilson
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 16 - Michael Douglas/Deniece Williams
    6.3/10(104 votes)

    #16 - Michael Douglas/Deniece Williams

    S9:E16

    Sketches include ""Lost Script,"" ""MTV News,"" ""Four Minutes to Live"" (film), ""TV's Foul-Ups, Bleeps, Blunders, Bloopers, Practical Jokes, And Political Debates,"" ""Sugar or Plain"" (film), and ""Footless."" Deniece Williams performs ""Let's Hear It for the Boy.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven, John Fox, Martin Kahan
    Writers:Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 17 - George McGovern/Madness
    5.6/10(103 votes)

    #17 - George McGovern/Madness

    S9:E17

    Sketches include ""60 Minutes,"" ""Menage a Trois,"" ""Book Talk,"" and ""My Brother, The Loser.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
    Writers:Herbert Sargent, Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 18 - Barry Bostwick/Spinal Tap
    7.0/10(104 votes)

    #18 - Barry Bostwick/Spinal Tap

    S9:E18

    Sketches are ""Simulated Cat Fight,"" ""Foldgers Crystals,"" ""Lie Detector Test,"" ""Spinal Tap Interview,"" ""Guest Performance: A. Whitney Brown,"" ""2 on the Town,"" and ""Texxon."" Spinal Tap perform ""Christmas with the Devil"" and ""Big Bottom.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven
    Writers:Herbert Sargent, Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 9 Episode 19 - Billy Crystal, Ed Koch, Edwin Newman, Father Guido Sarducci, Betty Thomas/The Cars
    6.3/10(109 votes)

    #19 - Billy Crystal, Ed Koch, Edwin Newman, Father Guido Sarducci, Betty Thomas/The Cars

    S9:E19

    Sketches include ""Frank & Sammy,"" ""Sarducci & Nelson,"" ""Nose Guard,"" ""Hello, Trudy!,"" ""Needleman the Dentist,"" and ""Stooges Self-Defense."" The Cars perform ""Drive.""

    Directors:Dave Wilson, Claude Kerven, Henry Holtzman
    Writers:Herbert Sargent, Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Bob Tischler, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, Jim Belushi, Michael C. McCarthy

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Season 9 Ratings Summary

"Brandon Tartikoff/John Cougar" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 9. It scored 6.1/10 based on 98 votes. Directed by Dave Wilson and written by Pamela Norris, Tim Kazurinsky, Nate Herman, Eliot Wald, Margaret Oberman, Andrew Smith, Robin Duke, Eddie Murphy, Andrew Kurtzman, Joe Piscopo, Andy Breckman, Adam Green, Mary Gross, Kevin Kelton, it aired on 10/8/1983. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman/Eddy Grant".