There are few TV institutions like Saturday Night Live and ranking the best episodes of Saturday Night Live is a favorite among long-time viewers. The show has been running since 1975 and has managed to churn out almost a thousand sketches, full of political satire and spectacular musical acts. A look back at the greatest episodes of Saturday Night Live in five decades and how some broadcasts truly were unforgettable.
Table of Contents
The best episodes of Saturday Night Live are those that do what they do best
The point of selecting the best episodes of Saturday Night Live is to consider more than just the jokes, it’s also about the chemistry between the host, cast, and the musical guest. A writer’s material is usually tighter and more focused around the week when he or she shows up with a warm, humorous perspective. As a result, sketches with the hosts that are totally “on the nose” hold up much better than sketches done more safely and conservatively.
Also, episodes that did become memorable were heavily influenced by the chemistry of the cast. The best sets are those that work best only when everybody is totally on their own during the uncertain times that live television provides. So, much of the greatness of SNL has been in the shows which have preceded the era of the current cast in which they already have a solid relationship.
The series presents legendary episodes from the early days of the show
The Original 1975 Premiere
The best episode of S.N.L. was obviously the October 1975 one that featured comedian George Carlin. This first airing brought America to know the show’s irreverent, boundary-pushing style, which set all the expectations for what was to come. Critics even rank it as one of the most historically significant of the show’s entire run because the monologue was actually subversive, for network television in 1991.
Wild Early Appearances by Steve Martin
Steve Martin hosted several shows in its early years and produced some of the best shows in that period of Saturday Night Live. He and the original cast, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, created sketches that are still played around with by comedians today. Martin’s willingness to accept the absurdist physical comedy was one of the generational sketches styles that he helped shape.
These are the moments and episodes that were iconic in the ’90s.
Below are some of the most memorable moments from this memorable era, which are often mentioned as some of the greatest shows of Saturday Night Live’s history.
| Episode # | Host(s) | Notable Sketch | Air Date |
| Coneheads Episode | Original Cast | Coneheads Family | 1977 |
| Wayne’s World Part 2 (Wayne’s World Returns) | Garry Shanderson Era | Wayne’s World 2 | 1993 |
| Celebrity Jeopardy Premiere | Norm Macdonald | Celebrity Jeopardy | 1996 |
| Chris Farley Highlights | Two Different Hosts | Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker | 1993 |
| Molly Shannon Breakout | Molly Shannon | TV Variety Show | 1997 |
As this chart illustrates, the most successful SNL skits of the 1990s often spawned long-running running gags that became iconic. Some of these ideas were sufficiently popular for them to be used as the basis for full-length feature films, further grounding their cultural legacy.
The most memorable episodes of political satire
Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin Impression
Tina Fey’s impersonation of Sarah Palin has been one of the most impactful performances of Saturday Night Live during an election year. In 2008, she made her comeback on the campaign and produced a level of viewership and media attention that is far greater than the typical television rating. The impression was so detailed that many viewers said they had trouble figuring out if there was real campaign footage or not.
Presidential Impressions and Chevy Chase
The act of playing the President became a hallmark of SNL, which was helped by Chevy Chase’s Ford. Although Chase did not imitate Ford’s voice often, historians of this period of Saturday Live observe the effect this impression had on the public. This preference for exaggeration for comedy over accuracy was a defining technique that was adopted in the decades that followed in political cartoons.
Some highlights of the 2000s and 2010s:
Sharon Stone and Shia Laudiano
Several episodes of Weekend Update that were hosted by Amy Poehler have become some of the best episodes of Saturday Night Live in that era. Working with other co-anchors, her timing was always on point, resulting in consistently sharp political and cultural commentary throughout her stint. Her pregnant physical comedy often recurs in the minds of the viewers as standout highlights.
Will Ferrell’s Versatile Character Work
The extended period that Will Ferrell was the host of Saturday Night Live yielded many of the greatest early 2000s Saturday Night Live moments. His range of characters, from cowbell junkies to inept politicians, were as amusing as the variety of the sketches. His last full-time cast appearance was in the last episode and many critics feel that it was one of the most emotional moments in the franchise.
The COVID-Era Broadcasts and Recent Highlights
How to adapt for Remote Production
When the pandemic compelled production switch-ups in 2020, SNL was a quick study, producing shows that were unlike those of the past few decades. Perhaps it was the first time viewers got unexpected comfort in truly difficult times, as the Tom Hanks-led quarantine episode was largely shot remotely with the cast members appearing on camera using video calls. Technically this wasn’t one of the greatest moments of SNL, but it is one of the most culturally important moments in terms of how the show shows to be resilient.
The 50th Anniversary Season of the Show
The fiftieth anniversary season of the show more recently sparked a renewed interest in ranking the best episodes of SNL all the way back to its inception. Specials for the anniversaries featured favorite past actors who make a return, making for nostalgic crossover moments that are not seen during regular season broadcasts. This milestone further cemented the debate of many fans as to which of the episodes are considered among the show’s best moments.
Here are the best episodes of Saturday Night Live, as decided by fans and critics.
Fan-Voted Rankings
Podcast communities and dedicated fan groups regularly put together poll results to try and determine the absolute best episodes of Saturday Night Live. Such community listicles tend to take into account a range of criteria that go beyond the ratings a show received at first broadcast, such as the quality of its sketches, chemistry with the host and wider cultural significance. These rankings can spark a lot of debate and controversy among comedy fans, depending on the generation.
Critical and Historical Perspectives
However, professionals view rankings differently; and many will look at the historical value of the work as well as the “clean comedy. When it comes to publications that collate extensive lists, IMDb ratings become a key consideration, along with the level of engagement from viewers and quotes from former cast members and writers. The quantitative and qualitative analysis helps to foster a more balanced view of what broadcasts are actually the best episodes of Saturday Night Live.
Why some episodes still resonate today
In addition to being entertaining, some of the very best episodes of Saturday Night Live had an impact on American culture and politics. Memorable characters and phrases from some of the best broadcasts quickly became part of the common parlance, and the show’s cultural influence was unmatched. Further, a lot of the successful film lines derived directly from popular sketches, and certainly these broadcasts had been adding value long after the end of their ninety-minute broadcast.
In addition, archival episodes are now available on streaming services for a life time, letting younger viewers to see old broadcasts later in life. This accessibility will continue to keep the discussion about which episodes are the best episodes at Saturday Night Live going.
In Memorable Broadcasts, standout musical performances are highlighted
When they were most iconic – musical moments.
Some of the best episodes of the show air on Saturday Night Live were not just about the sketch comedy; it was the music. Artists have given us career-defining moments at times during live performances, which sparked conversations that stretched past usual viewership. The live performance of music segments created no need for safety nets, and so often times, the music became a standout TV moment all on its own.
When Music and Comedy Intersect
Musical guests also frequently got involved in sketches, with some performances being interspersed with comedy during some shows. These cross-over offerings often led to some of the finest episodes of Saturday Night Live, because they featured surprising flexibility from the show’s music-oriented cast members. A few of those moments were representative of the successful way in which the show was able to consolidate multiple entertainment formats into a ninety-minute block.
Behind the scenes factors that influenced the legendary broadcasts
Writers Room Dynamics
Many of the shows that eventually get viewed as some of the best episodes of Saturday Night Live start with a lot of “cramming” the night before in a writing room. Dozen of sketch ideas are pitched before being whittled down at Wednesday table reads with the host and all cast. The process can be challenging and creative, and sometimes it will yield unexpected innovations that will result in the better broadcasts.
The host’s preparation (including rehearsal)
In addition, those who invest serious time in script-writing and rehearsal usually have among the best shows of their seasons on Saturday Night Live. Live television requires a lot of attention to detail, as there is very little room for error, which means that the better prepared one is, the more smooth and confident on-air the delivery will be. Often, when the show is good, but not great, it’s hosts’ well-crafted performances that make it truly great.
Regional and Demographic Viewing Patterns
Cater for a wide age range.Adapt to a wide age range.
However, unlike many television shows today, the top shows on Saturday Night Live often appeal to a very broad age range. Earlier seasons with older stars are popular with older audiences, while more recent seasons with newer cast members are popular with younger ones. This is a debate that has been ongoing, and it will likely continue to be a lively one, in the years to come, whenever historical rankings are attempted.
The effect of streaming on Rediscovery
These days, the best episodes of Saturday Night Live are discovered and evaluated by viewers in a very different way. Younger generations are more apt to watch older shows in binges and gain love for shows they didn’t watch when broadcast live. This accessibility has lead to older episodes continue to attract new audiences decades after airing, adding to the expanded audience.
Comparing different eras when ranking the best episodes
Original Cast Versus Modern Ensemble
Often times, the conversation about the best SNL episodes involves comparing the original 1970s cast to the current cast of SNL episodes. Some loyal fans will say the shows in the early days had real alternative vibes you simply can’t get in the current, more corporate-centric, television landscape. But critics of the modern seasons make the point of technical proficiency and political shrewdness for their own broadcasts as counter-arguments for recent shows.
Evolving Comedic Sensibilities
Since the show’s original airing in 1975, attitudes towards humor have changed significantly, and this is reflected in the shows that are truly funny for modern viewers. Some of Saturday Night Live’s most famous sketches can be interpreted differently from the point of view of modern culture decades after they aired. This change over indicates that an episode’s ranking today may be very different from the list one critic might have composed 40 years ago, as the what’s hot/what’s not theme of SNL changes with each passing generation.
In this section, the role of cast departures and milestone episodes is discussed
Emotional Farewell Broadcasts
There are also a number of great S.N.L. moments that land right on the heels of iconic cast changes. The farewell broadcasts often include heartfelt moments as well as funny stuff, making them an unforgettable viewing experience for longtime fans. Often, these episodes reflect surprisingly personal, heartfelt material, because the cast is allowed creative freedom when they leave the show.
Anniversary episodes and specials
In addition to the ones that have left, “anniversary specials” that return many of the shows’ regular cast members are also some of the most popular episodes of the show amongst fan circles. The reunion shows enable viewers to see the beloved characters and performers from the many generations at once on the same screen. That’s why, throughout the regular season, anniversary specials create a disproportionate buzz to regular weeks.
There are some main points that you should know about the best episodes of Saturday Night Live
The show’s irreverent comedic ground was launched with the 1975 premiere of George Carlin.
Political impressions were likely to change the way people watch during election season, based on the reports of Chevy Chase and Tina Fey.Based on the reports of Chevy Chase and Tina Fey, the political impressions were to change the way people watch during election season.
Recurring drawings made in the 1990s often went on to become successful feature film adaptations.
The film of the pandemic era starring Tom Hanks has shown creative resilience in difficult times.
The rankings still have a lot of life left in them, and are still a subject of ongoing discussion by fan communities and critics.
Final Thoughts
Deciding on the best episodes of Saturday Night Live is a very personal and subjective process, because of the different generations of people who are nostalgizing and how their own tastes in comedy may differ. But some shows always get the recognition for the cultural impact, the writing and the chemistry between the cast and host. If you are a more recent watcher, or an original cast fan, the best episodes of Saturday Night Live continue offering something genuinely worth revisiting for fans across every generation.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Q1; Which episode is considered the best in Saturday Night Live history?
Opinions vary widely, though the 1975 George Carlin premiere and several 1990s broadcasts frequently top most critical rankings.
Q2: How many episodes has Saturday Night Live produced overall?
The show has produced nearly one thousand episodes since premiering in October 1975, spanning fifty seasons of broadcasts.
Q3: What makes an episode rank among the best episodes of Saturday Night Live?
Strong host chemistry, sharp writing, and memorable recurring sketches typically distinguish standout broadcasts from more forgettable episodes.
Q4: Did the pandemic affect how Saturday Night Live produced episodes?
Yes, the show temporarily shifted to remote production during 2020, creating unique broadcasts filmed via video calls.
Q5: Where can fans watch classic Saturday Night Live episodes today?
Streaming platforms host extensive archives, allowing viewers to revisit decades of broadcasts spanning the show’s entire history.
