This Saturday will mark 50 years since Saturday Night Live first aired on October 11, 1975. In that half-century, the show has produced 989 episodes and counting—shaping generations of comedy, launching iconic careers, and capturing the spirit of American culture week after week.
As host of LateNighter’s podcast partner The Saturday Night Network, I’ve spent countless hours with fans and superfans reliving every era of SNL—the highs, the lows, and the gloriously weird in-betweens. Earlier this year, we decided to take on the ultimate challenge: out of nearly a thousand episodes, which ones are the very best?
After months of discussion and hundreds of votes, the results are in. Here are the top 50 episodes of Saturday Night Live, as chosen by the fans:
50) Patrick Swayze/ Mariah Carey (S16 E4, 10/27/1990)
Episode Highlight: “Chippendales Audition
Why it Made It: With Nora Dunn and Jon Lovitz departing at the end of Season 15, fans worried about how SNL would replace the talent that helped usher in its late-’80s second golden era. To start Season 16, SNL hired Chris Rock (stand-up) and Chris Farley (The Second City). In the fourth episode, Farley eased any concerns with a breakout performance opposite Patrick Swayze in “Chippendales Audition.” The Ghost star may have outdueled him on stage, but Farley stole hearts with his committed dance moves, becoming an instant fan favorite and kicking off the show’s so-called “Bad Boys” era.
49) Michael Jordan/ Public Enemy (S17 E1, 09/28/1991)
Episode Highlight: “Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley”
Why it Made It: Fresh off his first NBA championship, Michael Jordan was a slam-dunk choice to host the Season 17 premiere—and he delivered. Fans still remember Stuart Smalley coaxing MJ to say he was “good enough, smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me.” The episode also featured the “Schmitts Gay” beer commercial parody, a strong “Bill Swerski’s Super Fans,” and Jesse Jackson’s “Green Eggs and Ham” reading on Weekend Update.
48) David Alan Grier/ Silverchair (S21 E8, 12/09/1995)
Episode Highlight: “Wake Up and Smile”
Why it Made It: After a near-cancellation scare in summer 1995, SNL reset with new cast members in Season 21—and began to find its footing. Hosting for the first time, former In Living Color standout David Alan Grier blended perfectly with the new ensemble. The episode delivered an all-time morning talk show sketch, “Wake Up and Smile,” where chaos ensued after a teleprompter failure. This episode also featured the now-infamous “Hollywood Minute” in which David Spade jabbed former SNL superstar Eddie Murphy with the line “Look kids, a falling star.”
47) Anne Hathaway/ The Killers (S34 E4, 10/04/2008)
Episode Highlight: “Vice Presidential Debate”
Why it Made It: Fall 2008 produced one of the show’s strongest runs. Riding election energy, this episode opened with an iconic VP debate: Jason Sudeikis’s Joe Biden and Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin, who memorably asked guest moderator Queen Latifah when the talent portion would start. Anne Hathaway proved a great host with turns as Mary Poppins and a Maharelle sister, introducing Kristen Wiig’s Dooneese. Andy Samberg also scored with “Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals.”
46) Jerry Seinfeld/ Annie Lennox (S17 E18, 04/18/1992)
Episode Highlight: “Stand-Up and Win”
Why it Made It: Jerry Seinfeld fit SNL like a glove, opening with a classic monologue set. The episode leaned into observational humor, highlighted by the game show “Stand-Up and Win.” Adam Sandler also introduced Opera Man on Weekend Update .
45) Conan O’Brien/ Don Henley (S26 E14, 03/10/2001)
Episode Highlight: “Moleculo”
Why it Made It: Conan O’Brien became the first full-time SNL writer (who never appeared as a cast member) to return as host. In an all-timer monologue, Conan led the audience down to Studio 6A—collecting friends en route—before “discovering” his bandleader defiling his late-night desk. The show also memorably featured the Conan-penned superhero “Moleculo” and a Ben Affleck cameo with the Boston Teens.
44) Justin Timberlake (S38 E16, 03/09/2013)
Episode Highlight: “Five-Timers Club Monologue”
Why it Made It: Twenty-three years after its last appearance, the Five-Timers Club returned with Justin Timberlake opening those hallowed doors. Paul Simon, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin, and Candice Bergen joined the fun, with Dan Aykroyd tending bar and Martin Short waiting tables—reuniting the Three Amigos. In another nod to the past, Aykroyd and Martin reprised the Festrunk Brothers opposite Timberlake and Andy Samberg’s “Dick in a Box” duo.
43) William Shatner/ Lone Justice (S12 E8, 12/20/1986)
Episode Highlight: “Annual Star Trek Convention”
Why it Made It: After a rocky Season 11, SNL rebooted with Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks, and Phil Hartman. By the Christmas show, momentum was back. Star Trek legend William Shatner hosted and delivered one of the most quoted lines in SNL history, telling Trekkies to “get a life.” The episode also included a holiday staple, “The Lost Ending to It’s a Wonderful Life.”
42) Justin Timberlake/ Lady Gaga (S36 E22, 05/21/2011)
Episode Highlight: “What’s That Name?”
Why it Made It: Timberlake’s fourth turn as host included the Digital Short “3-Way (The Golden Rule)” with Lady Gaga. Gaga also joined JT for the classic game show “What’s That Name?” where Bill Hader’s Vince Blight berated JT for forgetting people’s names—like former ’NSYNC bandmate Chris Kirkpatrick.
41) Christopher Walken/ Foo Fighters (S28 E13, 02/22/2003)
Episode Highlight: “Colonel Angus”
Why it Made It: Fondly remembered for Walken’s emphatic intro of the “FOO Fighters,” this sleeper classic also features Will Ferrell’s first return since leaving the show, surprise cameos from Steve Martin and Britney Spears, Seth Meyers’s pre-Update highlight “Pranksters” (Walken’s character took pranks too far), and a legendary visit from down south by Colonel Angus.
40) Alec Baldwin/ Luciano Pavarotti, Vanessa Williams (S24 E9, 12/12/1998)
Episode Highlight: “The Delicious Dish”
Why it Made It: NPR parody The Delicious Dish peaked when Pete Schweddy (Alec Baldwin) stopped by to discuss his “Schweddy Balls.” The sketch became a phenomenon and cemented this Christmas episode’s legacy. Elsewhere, Jimmy Fallon appeared in the monologue as the ghost of SNL future—accurately “predicting” his December 2011 hosting gig—and the show featured a rousing “Adeste Fideles” from Luciano Pavarotti and Vanessa Williams.
39) Sigourney Weaver (S12 E1, 10/11/1986)
Episode Highlight: “Derek Stevens”
Why it Made It: After SNL literally “set the cast on fire” at the end of Season 11, Madonna opened the premiere to declare the prior season a dream. A new ballroom-styled home base and a powerhouse cast reset the show. Dana Carvey had a legendary first night, debuting The Church Lady and Derek Stevens’s “Choppin’ Broccoli.” Phil Hartman anchored a game show, Jan Hooks appeared as Marge Keister, Victoria Jackson popped up on Update, and Kevin Nealon introduced Mr. Subliminal.
38) Ryan Gosling/ Chris Stapleton (S49 E17, 04/13/2024)
Episode Highlight: “Beavis and Butt-Head”
Why it Made It: Ryan Gosling, riding Barbie fame, hosted a modern gem. The night’s defining moment came when Heidi Gardner broke during a panel as Mikey Day and Gosling appeared as “Beavis and Butt-Head” look-alikes. The episode also featured Kate McKinnon’s return for “Close Encounters,” Gosling’s cold feet sketch with Andrew Dismukes, a cameo from basketball superstar Caitlin Clark, and a sharp music video with Chris Stapleton and Chloe Troast as the women of SNL vowed to “Get That Boy Back.”
37) Alec Baldwin/ The B-52’s (S15 E18, 04/21/1990)
Episode Highlight: “Diner”
Why it Made It: Alec Baldwin began his record-setting hosting run with a showcase of range: making out with half the cast in soap parody “Greenhilly” and going toe-to-toe with Jan Hooks’s Brenda the Waitress in “Diner.” The night also marked the writing debuts of Rob Schneider and David Spade, who would later join the cast.
36) Seth MacFarlane/ Frank Ocean (S38 E1, 09/15/2012)
Episode Highlight: “Puppetry Class”
Why it Made It: The Season 38 premiere opened with a surprise: Fred Armisen passed Barack Obama to Jay Pharoah for the remainder of his second term. Host Seth MacFarlane brought high energy, but Bill Hader owned the night—debuting troubled vet Anthony Peter Coleman in “Puppetry Class,” parodying Clint Eastwood’s 2012 RNC speech, and sharing the stage with Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” The episode also introduced then -new cast members Cecily Strong, Aidy Bryant, and Tim Robinson.
35) Lindsay Lohan/ Usher (S29 E18, 05/01/2004)
Episode Highlight: “Debbie Downer”
Why it Made It: “Debbie Downer: Disney World” became an all-timer as the sketch went gloriously off the rails. Rachel Dratch’s Debbie struggled to deliver grim facts (including about feline AIDS) while Fred Armisen, Amy Poehler, Horatio Sanz, Jimmy Fallon, and host Lindsay Lohan dissolved into laughter—wiping tears with pancakes. Beyond that viral moment, 17-year-old Lohan, fresh off Mean Girls (produced by Lorne Michaels and written by Tina Fey), turned in a strong show.
34) Christopher Walken/ Arrested Development (S18 E4, 10/24/1992)
Episode Highlight: “The Continental”
Why it Made It: In his second appearance as The Continental, Christopher Walken delivered peak Walken-esque absurdity—complete with a mustache that refused to stay put. He opened with a delightfully odd “song-alogue,” played a psychic with trivial premonitions, and welcomed Jan Hooks back as Sinead O’Connor.
33) Charles Grodin/ Paul Simon, The Persuasions (S3 E4, 10/29/1977)
Episode Highlight: “Simon & Garfunkel”
Why it Made It: For SNL’s 50th episode, Charles Grodin ran a meta runner that he missed rehearsals and didn’t really want to be there. The show featured a classic Simon & Garfunkel reunion gag—Grodin tried (badly) to sub for Art—and introduced two beloved Gilda Radner characters: Judy Miller and Roseanne Roseannadanna.
32) Jimmy Fallon/ Michael Bublé (S37 E10, 12/17/2011)
Episode Highlight: “Fallon Christmas Monologue”
Why it Made It: Making good on his tongue-in-cheek “prediction,” Jimmy Fallon hosted his first Christmas show and delivered one of SNL’s most joyous monologues, dancing with the entire cast around Studio 8H. He reunited the Boston Teens, brought back Chris Kattan, Tracy Morgan, and Horatio Sanz to sing “I Wish It Was Christmas Today,” and faced off with Tina Fey against Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler in a festive Update joke-off.
31) Jason Sudeikis/ Brandi Carlile (S47 E4, 10/23/2021)
Episode Highlight: “Parent-Teacher Conference”
Why it Made It: Riding Ted Lasso’s heat, Jason Sudeikis finally hosted, opening as the Ghost of Biden Past, and delivered an emotional monologue about Studio 8H. The episode revived a live “What Up With That?” after years away, showcased Sudeikis’s Devil on Update, and gave Ego Nwodim a career-best turn in “Parent-Teacher Conference.”
30) Will Ferrell/ Green Day (S34 E22, 05/16/2009)
Episode Highlight: “Goodnight Saigon”
Why it Made It: Will Ferrell’s second hosting stint felt momentous, capping one of SNL’s greatest seasons. The show opened with one more Bush/Cheney sketch for Darrell Hammond and Ferrell, revived “Celebrity Jeopardy!” with Tom Hanks and Norm Macdonald, and brought Amy Poehler back to the Update desk. It culminated in the musical showstopper “Goodnight Saigon,” with Ferrell joined by the entire cast, Green Day, Hanks, Norm, Maya Rudolph, hosts Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd, Elisabeth Moss, and Artie Lange (who had appeared on the Mad TV finale earlier that night).
29) George Carlin/ Janis Ian, Billy Preston (S1 E1, 10/11/1975)
Episode Highlight: “The Wolverines”
Why it Made It: The pilot that changed television opened with Michael O’Donoghue and John Belushi’s “Wolverines” bit, ending with Chevy Chase’s first fall and “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” The variety-style rundown featured four George Carlin monologues, Andy Kaufman, Valri Bromfield, an Albert Brooks film, musical sets from Janis Ian and Billy Preston, Jim Henson’s “Land of Gorch,” and the debut of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players—plus the first Weekend Update with Chevy.
28) Peyton Manning/ Carrie Underwood (S32 E16, 03/24/2007)
Episode Highlight: “Locker Room Motivation”
Why it Made It: Fresh off his first Super Bowl, Peyton Manning surprised with sharp comedic timing. After pelting kids with footballs in “United Way,” he teamed with Will Forte for the delirious “Locker Room Motivation” dance. The episode was stacked: standout “Bronx Beat” and “Penelope” sketches, a terrific “Saturday TV Funhouse” (“Maraka”), Andy Samberg making Dan Aykroyd cry in an American Idol gag, and a sweet ending with brothers Cooper and Eli presenting a birthday cake.
27) Pedro Pascal/ Coldplay (S48 E12, 02/04/2023)
Episode Highlight: “Lisa from Temecula”
Why it Made It: Ego Nwodim shook Studio 8H as Lisa from Temecula, carving overcooked steak while drinks and laughter flew. Pedro Pascal shined throughout, especially in the gritty Mario Kart pre-tape riffing on The Last of Us. Newcomer Marcello Hernández also popped with “protective mom,” played by Pascal.
26) Tom Hanks/ Edie Brickell & New Bohemians (S16 E8, 12/08/1990)
Episode Highlight: “Five-Timers Club Monologue”
Why it Made It: The legend started here. Tom Hanks inaugurated the Five-Timers Club with a 1990 monologue featuring doorman Conan O’Brien, Paul Simon, Steve Martin, and Elliott Gould (absent from the show since 1980). In a first cameo since leaving, Hanks was surprised to find Jon Lovitz working as a waiter, and Ralph Nader tried to crash the club. The episode also delivered peak Hanks: “Mr. Short-Term Memory,” Hanks and Dana Carvey both playing Dennis Miller on Update, “The Global Warming Christmas Special,” and “Sabra Shopping Network.”
25) Jack Black/ Elton John, Brandi Carlile (S50 E16, 04/05/2025)
Episode Highlight: “Miss Eggy”
Why it Made It: After twenty years, Jack Black returned and didn’t miss a beat—parodying Aerosmith in the monologue and fronting a memorable Preparation H ad, while elevating sketches all night. Elton John and Brandi Carlile brought down the house as musical guests, while Ego Nwodim stole a segment as Miss Eggy, who inadvertently prompted on-air swearing and delivered the instant-classic line, “Lorne’s going to be mad at y’all.”
24) Tom Hanks/ Keith Richards (S14 E1, 10/08/1988)
Episode Highlight: “ABC Campaign ’88”
Why it Made It: One of SNL’s strongest premieres, this episode revived presidential debate greatness: Dana Carvey’s George H. W. Bush versus Jon Lovitz’s Michael Dukakis, including the immortal “I can’t believe I’m losing to this guy.” It also featured “Pumping Up with Hans & Franz,” Jim Downey’s First Citiwide Change Bank ads, the debut of Mr. Short-Term Memory, Hanks and Lovitz as the Girl Watchers, and one of the bloodiest gags in SNL history—Phil Hartman’s Russian weightlifter whose arms fell off on Update.
23) Tina Fey, Amy Poehler/ Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (S41 E9, 12/19/2015)
Episode Highlight: “Meet Your Second Wife”
Why it Made It: SNL’s iconic duo co-hosted a Christmas classic anchored by the unnerving game show “Meet Your Second Wife.” The episode gave Amy’s Hillary a chance to meet Kate’s, brought back Tina’s Sarah Palin, reunited Tina and Amy with Michael Che at the desk, and welcomed Maya Rudolph for a Bronx Beat return. Bruce Springsteen capped the night with “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” joined by Paul McCartney, Tina, Amy, and the cast.
22) Don Rickles/ Billy Idol (S9 E11, 01/28/1984)
Episode Highlight: “Rickles Monologue”
Why it Made It: During the Ebersol era, Don Rickles hosted a chaos-delight. He roasted the audience, NBC’s Brandon Tartikoff, and former host John Madden in a barnburner monologue, then ad-libbed all night—sparring with Joe Piscopo and slapping him in sketches. The unscripted energy peaked in “This Is Your Afterlife,” where Rickles told Piscopo he hoped Eddie Murphy “robbed his house.”
21) Jon Hamm/ Coldplay (S34 E6, 10/25/2008)
Episode Highlight: “Trick or Treat”
Why it Made It: In one of the great first-time hosting debuts, Jon Hamm rode Mad Men mania through a classic Halloween show. The night included “Don Draper’s Guide to Picking Up Women,” a Two A-Holes sketch in a ’60s ad agency, and, most memorably, Will Forte as Jeff Montgomery—seeking neighbor signatures to remain in their community as a registered sex offender (for Halloween!). Amy Poehler went into labor the night before, leaving Seth Meyers to anchor Update solo for the first time, and Hamm carried the final twenty minutes alongside Coldplay, who performed four songs.
20) Kristen Wiig/ RAYE (S49 E16, 04/06/2024)
Episode Highlight: “Jumanji”
Why it Made It: Kristen Wiig earned her five-timer jacket—only to discover in the monologue that anyone could wear one, with drop-ins from Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Ryan Gosling, Matt Damon, Martin Short, Jon Hamm, and Paul Rudd. Wiig clicked seamlessly with the current cast; she and Forte headlined “Jumanji,” and she revived Aunt Linda on Update, cementing a modern-classic.
19) Jimmy Fallon/ Justin Timberlake (S39 E10, 12/21/2013)
Episode Highlight: “Do It on My (Twin Bed)”
Why it Made It: Jimmy & Justin returned as a duo—opening with “Wrappinville,” doing “Celebrity Family Feud,” and welcoming the real Barry Gibb to the “Barry Gibb Talk Show”—but the women of SNL stole the night with the instant-classic music video “Do It on My (Twin Bed).” Cecily Strong also shone with a wry “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” parody duet with Fallon.
18) Tom Hanks/ Aerosmith (S15 E13, 02/17/1990)
Episode Highlight: “Wayne’s World”
Why it Made It: Wayne and Garth landed Aerosmith for their definitive “Wayne’s World” outing. Tom Hanks played a roadie who famously tested the mic with “sibilance.” Hanks also delivered a killer monologue imagining SNL without him—before Abraham Lincoln brought him back and called him “an incredible pussy.”
17) Larry David/ The 1975 (S41 E12, 02/06/2016)
Episode Highlight: “Bern Your Enthusiasm”
Why it Made It: After nailing Bernie Sanders as a look-alike guest, Larry David returned to host more than 30 years after a brief writer stint. The real Bernie Sanders appeared opposite David on a sinking ship, but the night’s talker was the Curb Your Enthusiasm-style “Bern Your Enthusiasm,” where David’s Bernie lost votes through classic Larry missteps.
16) Candice Bergen/ Frank Zappa (S2 E10, 12/11/1976)
Episode Highlight: “Right to Extreme Stupidity League”
Why it Made It: SNL’s second Christmas show was eventful: Frank Zappa performed “I’m the Slime” with Don Pardo voiceover; Dan Aykroyd debuted Irwin Mainway, the defensive toy executive; and Gilda Radner and Candice Bergen broke character in the “Right to Extreme Stupidity League,” creating the show’s first notable on-air break. The night ended with the cast ice-skating outside 30 Rock during goodnights.
15) Nate Bargatze/ Foo Fighters (S49 E3, 10/28/2023)
Episode Highlight: “Washington’s Dream”
Why it Made It: Stand-up Nate Bargatze surprised with an instant-classic, as “Washington’s Dream,” a look at America’s measurements, showcased his dry, precise delivery. The episode also featured Christopher Walken as the Spirit of Halloween “Papa Pumpkin,” Mikey Day’s takeover of the Biden impression, and a Padma Lakshmi cameo in “Chef Showdown.”
14) John Mulaney/ Jack White (S43 E18, 04/14/2018)
Episode Highlight: “Diner Lobster”
Why it Made It: Former writer John Mulaney made a triumphant hosting debut and finally mounted his long-gestating “Diner Lobster,” a Les Misérables-style musical with epic staging. The cold open paired Ben Stiller’s Michael Cohen with Robert De Niro’s Robert Mueller in a Meet the Parents riff.
13) Martin Short/ Paul McCartney (S38 E10, 12/15/2012)
Episode Highlight: “What Up With That?”
Why it Made It: Martin Short returned after 16 years and, with Paul Shaffer on piano, sang a show-tune monologue before roaming backstage with Kristen Wiig, Jimmy Fallon, Tom Hanks, and Tina Fey. Alec Baldwin popped in for “A Tony Bennett Christmas.” The night segued into a moving McCartney performance of “Wonderful Christmastime” with the NYC Children’s Chorus (who opened the show with “Silent Night” in honor of Sandy Hook). And “What Up With That?” returned, featuring Short as Jackie Rogers Jr., Carrie Brownstein, and Samuel L. Jackson—who swore on air, prompting Kenan’s “That costs money, Sam!”
12) Adam Sandler/ Shawn Mendes (S44 E19, 05/04/2019)
Episode Highlight: “Chris Farley Song”
Why it Made It: Adam Sandler returned to host for the first time since his 1995 firing, joking about his exit in the monologue and reuniting with Chris Rock. The night included Opera Man on Update, a Sandler Family Reunion (with Jimmy Fallon and Kristen Wiig), a brutally honest Italian tour guide, and an erectile-dysfunction tutorial for his son. Sandler closed with a moving “Chris Farley Song,” a tribute to his friend.
11) Justin Timberlake (S32 E9, 12/16/2006)
Episode Highlight: “Dick in a Box”
Why it Made It: After “Lazy Sunday” redefined digital shorts the year prior, The Lonely Island topped themselves when Timberlake hosted again—premiering “Dick in a Box,” which later won the Emmy for Original Music and Lyrics. Timberlake dominated the episode, reviving his dancing mascot and Robin Gibb (opposite Jimmy Fallon’s Barry) in “The Barry Gibb Talk Show,” and closing with “What Goes Around… Comes Around.”
10) George Wendt, Francis Ford Coppola/ Philip Glass (S11 E13, 03/22/1986)
Episode Highlight: “Grand Finale”
Why it Made It: In a season sliding downhill, Lorne Michaels swung big: NBC “brought in” Francis Ford Coppola to oversee the show. George Wendt hosted while the cast took direction all night, growing increasingly fed up. The concept culminated in a sweeping grand finale: Jon Lovitz’s Master Thespian saluted Studio 8H; the camera panned through vignettes revisiting sketches; and producers Al Franken and Tom Davis greeted Wendt at a bar as he watched the whole thing on TV.
9) Christopher Walken/ Christina Aguilera (S25 E16, 04/08/2000)
Episode Highlight: “Behind the Music”
Why it Made It: Two words: “More cowbell.” Walken’s fourth hosting gig delivered the VH1 Behind the Music parody of Blue Öyster Cult recording “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” with Will Ferrell’s Gene Frenkle crashing cymbals and belly-shirted enthusiasm across the studio. Walken sealed it with “I got a fever…” The episode also featured Dana Carvey reprising George H. W. Bush opposite Will Ferrell’s George W. Bush.
8) Tom Hanks/ Lady Gaga (S42 E4, 10/22/2016)
Episode Highlight: “Haunted Elevator”
Why it Made It: Ten years after his last time, Tom Hanks returned with two stone-cold classics. He played Doug, a MAGA man who connected with Black Jeopardy contestants in unexpectedly human ways, and debuted David S. Pumpkins—whose haunted-house elevator (and dancing skeletons) became a Halloween staple.
7) Dave Chappelle/ A Tribe Called Quest (S42 E6, 11/12/2016)
Episode Highlight: “Hallelujah”
Why it Made It: Hosting days after the 2016 election, Dave Chappelle guided the show through a raw moment. The episode opened with Kate McKinnon dressed as Hillary Clinton performing “Hallelujah” in tribute to Leonard Cohen. Chappelle then delivered a pointed monologue, and revived Chappelle’s Show energy with a Walking Dead parody featuring classic characters, plus a wildly inventive post-game interview after a blown sketch. He later won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor.
6) Richard Pryor/ Gil Scott-Heron (S1 E7, 12/13/1975)
Episode Highlight: “Word Association”
Why it Made It: Richard Pryor, with writer Paul Mooney, helped craft one of SNL’s most storied nights. At Pryor’s request, Garrett Morris opened the show with “Live from New York!” The evening pushed boundaries on race, culminating in the legendary “Word Association” sketch with Chevy Chase—escalating to an unprecedented on-air slur that created the show’s tensest moment.
5) Betty White/ Jay-Z (S35 E21, 05/08/2010)
Episode Highlight: “Thank You for Being a Friend”
Why it Made It: A grassroots Facebook campaign led to 88-year-old Betty White hosting on Mother’s Day, becoming SNL’s oldest host. Alumni returned en masse, giving the show an all-star sheen: “Delicious Dish,” Sally O’Malley on Update, MacGruber’s grandmother, the Manuel Ortiz Show, Scared Straight, and the Season 25 “Census” sketch redux. White appeared in 13 segments—the most by any host or cast member in a single episode—and Jay-Z closed with “Young Forever” in her honor. White won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress.
4) Eddie Murphy/ Lizzo (S45 E10, 12/21/2019)
Episode Highlight: “Monologue”
Why it Made It: For the first time since 1984, Eddie Murphy returned to host. The monologue became an event—with Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and Kenan Thompson all joining him on stage. Murphy revived “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood,” Buckwheat on The Masked Singer, Gumby on Update, and Velvet Jones on Black Jeopardy. He won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor, and the episode became SNL’s most-watched in eleven years.
3) Jim Carrey/ Soundgarden (S21 E20, 05/18/1996)
Episode Highlight: “Roxbury Guys”
Why it Made It: With SNL resurgent, Jim Carrey headlined a season-finale victory lap: The Cheerleaders, the Roxbury Guys, and The Joe Pesci Show all returned. It was also a breakout night for Will Ferrell, who paired with Carrey for “Jacuzzi Lifeguard” and “Jimmy Tango’s Fat Busters.” Many still call it SNL’s greatest finale.
2) Steve Martin/ The Blues Brothers (S3 E18, 04/22/1978)
Episode Highlight: “King Tut”
Why it Made It: Often cited as the peak of the first golden era, this Steve Martin show stacked hit after hit. The Blues Brothers opened as musical guests; the Festrunk Brothers returned; “The Nerds” appeared; Martin played medieval quack Theodoric of York; he performed “King Tut”; and he joined Gilda Radner for the spellbinding “Dancing in the Dark,” gliding through Studio 8H as time seemed to stop.
1) Jack Black/ Neil Young (S31 E9, 12/17/2005)
Episode Highlight: “Lazy Sunday”
Why it Made It: “Lazy Sunday” changed everything. The Lonely Island’s viral Digital Short marked a generational pivot and made internet-era SNL. Veteran cast members shone—“Debbie Downer,” “Appalachian Emergency Room” with Johnny Knoxville, Tracy Morgan on Update with Kenan, and the claymation classic “Christmas Time for the Jews” (featuring Darlene Love, who also sang to commercial). Newer cast moments mattered too: Jason and Kristen’s Two A-Holes bought a Christmas tree; Will Forte’s “Spelling Bee”; and the second-ever Digital Short itself—“Lazy Sunday.”
Want to dig deeper? Visit the Saturday Night Network’s YouTube channel for an episode-by-episode discussion of each of their top 50 picks.
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