It’s actually difficult to determine which SNL episode is the best, as the show has broadcasted over 900 shows in 50 years. But some nights are so vivid that they’re still talked about more than 20 years later. So, in this guide, we’re going to look at some of the best SNL episode contenders of each era, with each host, and by cultural impact, and you can pick which one you think really deserves the crown.
Table of Contents
What Makes The Best SNL Episode? is a highly popular episode of SNL
First of all, it’s important to nail down what exactly makes the best SNL episode better than the average week. Overall, a legendary episode has a great cast, a hilarious host and at least one sketch that can be immortalized in pop culture. Also, the timing is hugely important: shows that premiered immediately following, say, a huge news story or a big cultural moment are going to make an impact that’s different from a show that was released at any old time in October.
Also, sometimes an episode turns legendary due to the musical guests, particularly if their performance becomes a subject for discussion. So, the best SNL sketch doesn’t always get the best SNL episode, but rather several.
Best SNL Episode By Decade
Unfortunately, it’s not exactly fair to rank SNL since 1975, without so much as a hint of context, since the show has changed so much over the years. So, when you break things down decade by decade, you’ll have a better idea of what the best SNL episode is from each era of the show.
| Decade | Standout Episode | Host | Why It’s Memorable |
| 1970s | Steve Martin’s debut years as host | Steve Martin | Brought absurdist energy and sharp physical humor |
| 1980s | Episodes featuring Eddie Murphy as a breakout comedic superstar | Eddie Murphy | Cemented Eddie Murphy as a breakout comedic superstar in the 1980s |
| 1990s | Nathan Lane / Christopher Walken episodes | Various | Popularized recurring characters with impression-heavy sketches |
| 2000s | Bush/Cheney-era episodes | Alec Baldwin | Gave a moment of unity to the nation after 9/11 |
| 2010s | Betty White hosting episode | Betty White | Became a viral sensation before the word came into popular use |
| 2020s | Post-election episode with Dave Chappelle | Dave Chappelle | Delivered sharp political commentary with real laughs |
This table illustrates how the best SNL episode of each decade represents the culture of that particular period. Thus, instead of a single universal winner, many fans are happier in celebrating the highlight of their favorite era for the night.
The truest and most memorable moments of the best SNL episode ever
Let’s now explore individual episodes that you’ll see featured on “best of” lists every where you look online.
Alec Baldwin’s Post-9/11 Episode (2001)
This is probably one of the most heartbreaking moments in the series’ history. With first responders, Rudy Giuliani was present, and Lorne Michaels asked the question: is it OK to be funny again? This moment was the perfect start to the whole episode and a perfect mix of real sadness and the likeable humor of the show. Many critics have regarded this episode as the best episode of SNL simply because it hit on a nation’s pulse.
Betty White’s Hosting Debut (2010)
Betty White, who, at age 88, gave an unforgettable performance, was booked after a huge fan campaign. She came across as surprisingly energetic, funny and unafraid of edgy material for even long time fans. This episode has been a staple of the casual viewer who can’t be counted among the regular SNL watchers, and that is amazing enough in and of itself.
Post-Election Episode (2020) with Dave Chappelle
After one of the most bitterly fought elections in American history, Dave Chappelle made a monologue which was more funny than reflective. Instead of condescending to political leaders, he was able to provide perspective that was felt by both sides. Consequently, this one has often been in the top list of best SNL episodes of the past few years.
Justin Timberlake’s Five-Timers Club Episode
Justin Timberlake has appeared on SNL so many times that he’s part of the “Five-Timers Club,” and his shows always make a spot on the list of fan favorites. With his chemistry with the cast and some great musical shows, his hosting is memorable. Furthermore, his ability to whole-heartedly embrace the weirdest of ideas helped to establish some of the regular characters on SNL.
Tom Hanks’ Black Jeopardy Episode (2016)
This was just before a very important presidential election and it was the first time audiences would get to know a favorite recurring game-show sketch. In addition to that particular episode, it also introduced a hugely popular Halloween setting character that went viral. This double blow makes it a contender to this day for the best SNL episode in the 2010s.
The most popular SNL episode by host
In fact, there are some hosts that come back so much that it’s a near certainty that their episodes will be good. Here’s a fast overview of some of the most common hosts that have produced some of the most popular episodes.
- The venerable Alec Baldwin has been the most heavily featured host in recent decades, and his sketches are uniformly fantastic.
- Steve Martin: One of the founding-era favourites who has a chemistry with the original cast that is legendary.
- Tom Hanks: Versatile, as he’s equally able to do drama-adjacent sketches and pure comedic chaos.
- Justin Timberlake: Has musical ability and a natural talent for comedy.
- Drew Barrymore: She’s always an entertaining host and a good time.
- Tyga Mertz: Drew on his deep array of talents to deliver a poignant performance.
- Jim Belushi, Kevin Nealon: Provided a consistent comedic presence over several decades.
These hosts come back often and therefore their episodes are often compared to the rest of the weeks.
How Ratings Affects The Best SNL Episode Perception
The Nielsen ratings might not be the most important measure of comedy worthiness, but they do help determine which episodes make it into cultural lore. However, Palin’s meager time on screen attraction was dwarfed in 2008 when she appeared during a contentious election season and attracted a huge amount of people. Likewise, the booking of Donald Trump for the 2015 season set the highest ratings in years for the show, in part because of the political debate over the booking.
At the same time, the surprise appearance of Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer brought in a ton of viewers because it mocked a very topical news cycle. So, when considering the top SNL episode, it is important to note that viewers and good comedy don’t always mesh, so it is worth distinguishing the two.
Best SNL Episode According To Critics vs Best SNL Episode According To Fans
Interestingly, this is not the same for critics and casual fans, as to what makes the best SNL episode. Episodes that are well written, politically satirical or technically well-constructed are often preferred by critics. On the other hand, the fans often turn to old-time classics that have a certain cultural memory or to popular recurring characters.
That’s why there’s a difference between some episodes being featured on “critically acclaimed” lists and completely different episodes being the subject of casual discussion threads online. Finally, both opinions are valuable, as SNL has always strived to keep it both cutting and popular.
In the digital age, these short clips made a big impact on whole shows
In addition to the usual sketches, digital shorts can, on occasion, make an otherwise ordinary episode great. In the 2000s, Andy Samberg’s efforts revolutionized the way audiences watched SNL material, as all these bits of clips start to proliferate online long before social media took over the world. As a result, those shows with especially memorable digital gags sometimes receive additional “reward” points for their digital performances in the event that fans are creating their own best SNL episode lists.
Famous guests who made an episode a memorable one
In some cases, it’s the music itself that makes the episode legendary. For instance, Adele’s 2015 act received huge attention last night, regardless of the sketchs’ content. Likewise, some politically charged performances have initiated national dialogues that lasted for weeks after the show aired. Some fans make their choice of which SNL episode was their favorite based almost exclusively on the musical segments – as musical guests sometimes take over the show completely.
Because of the season finales often are the best picks for SNL episodes
The finale of every season is often the best of the season or even the greatest of the year because the cast and writers go all out there. Also, the finales are sometimes host by popular returning actors or a surprise actor’s appearance that creates extra hype beforehand. This means that many show fans look for the season finale episodes when building up their personal best SNL episode lists.
In the meantime, then, how do you do you get the best SNL episode picks today?
Luckily, it’s never been easier to find these classic shows. The entire archive of the show can now be streamed on Peacock, where they are available to subscribers almost since it began in 1975. Besides, YouTube also has an official SNL channel that has individual sketches on it, which is great if you’re just looking for certain highlights instead of a full 90-minute show. So, it’s not much work to revisit the best SNL episode picks from any era as compared to a decade ago.
Best SNL Episode is defined by recurring characters that will stay memorable
There is a strong popular opinion that the continuity of characters is more important for a great episode than any particular single sketch. After the initial hit, there are often repeat hits as the audience already knows what to expect and they love the rhythm of the comedy. As a result, when a fan is debating which SNL episode is the best in a particular era, a rerun of a favorite recurring character’s finest moment is often given special consideration.
For instance, some sketches from game shows, workplaces, and impressionists have been done for several seasons and dozens of times. The stronger the single performance of that character is, the more memorable it is for people. Each new variation puts an additional layer on it. This is why, in some cases, a regular scene can instantly become legendary due to the return of a fan favorite with a great acting performance.
Political Cold Opens & How They Affect Episode Rankings
One of the segments of the show that is always talked about are cold opens, particularly in election years. These sketches are the first to air and will set the tone for the rest of the broadcast, so a really good cold open can make a night great. Political impressions are a big part of contemporary SNL, and some of them have been so popular that they’ve eclipsed the politicians they parodied.
This means that certain episodes tend to perform better during high-stakes political moments, debates or significant news events than during standard weekly runs. As such, cold opens often are the final straw that gets called out in lists of the “best” SNL episodes in recent history.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it’s difficult to pick one single best SNL episode, since the show has been on the air for 50 years and the cast is constantly changing. However, some nights, for emotional reasons, political expediency or just great comedic timing, have become forever a part of TV history. From the old-school classics to the newer viral moments, these are some of the most memorable moments that have been extreme fun to watch and note the impact SNL has had on American comedy over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Q1: What is considered the best SNL episode of all time?
While opinions vary widely, Alec Baldwin’s post-9/11 episode and Dave Chappelle’s post-election episode consistently rank among the most frequently cited best SNL episode picks by both critics and longtime fans.
Q2: Which host has appeared in the most best SNL episode rankings?
Alec Baldwin appears most frequently across various best SNL episode lists, largely due to his record-setting number of hosting appearances spanning multiple decades.
Q3: Does the best SNL episode always have the highest ratings?
Not necessarily. Some of the highest-rated episodes owe their viewership to political controversy or news-cycle timing, rather than pure comedic quality, so ratings and critical acclaim don’t always align.
Q4: Where can I watch the best SNL episode picks from past decades?
Peacock hosts the complete SNL archive, while the show’s official YouTube channel offers individual sketches for viewers who prefer shorter clips instead of full episodes.
Q5: Are recent seasons capable of producing a best SNL episode contender?
Absolutely. Recent seasons have introduced viral digital shorts, breakout impressions, and politically charged monologues that regularly generate buzz comparable to classic-era episodes.
Q6: How do critics determine the best SNL episode versus casual fans?
Critics typically emphasize writing quality and satire, while fans often prioritize nostalgia and memorable characters, which explains why their rankings frequently diverge.
