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100 best 'SNL' episodes

"Saturday Dark Live" is the benchmark of sketch TV. The show, which has been on the air for more than four decades, pairs a celebrity host with a rotating cast of comedians performing live and taped sketches, and also features a musical performance. Information technology has go an inescapable part of the cultural conversation. "SNL" has brought humour to endless elections, has poked fun at pop culture trends, has been subject area to major controversies, and has created some of the most enduring TV moments of all time.

Viewers have the show to give thanks for archetype movies like "The Blues Brothers," "Coneheads," and "Wayne's World," all of which were based on "SNL" sketches. Some of the virtually well-known comedians of the past twoscore-plus years—including the love Norm Macdonald, who died at 61 from cancer on Sept. 14—jump-started their careers as writers and actors on "SNL."

"Sat Dark Live" has also been known to make or break political careers. Never one to shy away from poking fun at politicians on both sides of the aisle, "SNL" boasts a long history of impressions that shaped how Americans perceive candidates and elected officials. Gerald Ford's allies even concede that Chevy Chase's famous impersonation of the president may take influenced his narrow loss in the 1976 election.

With all this history, curating a list of the best "Sat Night Live" episodes is a nearly incommunicable task; in truth, it comes down to a thing of taste. Stacker compiled the acme 100 episodes as rated by IMDb users. Only episodes with fifty or more than votes were counted, and in the case of ties, the episode with the most votes was ranked higher. The terminate result is an eclectic collection of episodes from every era of the testify's history and a reminder of why "SNL" remains an essential viewing after all this time.

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1 / 100

#100. Flavor 33, Episode 7 - Amy Adams/Vampire Weekend

- IMDb user rating: 7.half dozen
- Votes: 111
- Air date: March eight, 2008

Andy Samberg's digital shorts were withal fresh in 2008, as he proved with a music video that plant him channeling his inner Batman. Meanwhile, Amy Poehler continued to hone her Hillary Clinton skills as she introduced an assault campaign ad against Barack Obama.

2 / 100

#99. Season 34, Episode half-dozen - Jon Hamm/Coldplay

- IMDb user rating: vii.half-dozen
- Votes: 118
- Air date: Oct. 25, 2008

Famously, Amy Poehler had to miss this episode considering she went into labor on Saturday night. She still managed to brand an advent thank you to a pre-taped segment featuring host Jon Hamm.

three / 100

#98. Flavour 34, Episode five - Josh Brolin/Adele

- IMDb user rating: 7.vi
- Votes: 128
- Air date: Oct. 18, 2008

It'south not easy to overshadow Adele, merely the existent-life Sarah Palin came close during her invitee advent. After several episodes of parodying the political leader, the show invited her onto the evidence to defend her award; Palin put forth an objectively fearless performance.

four / 100

#97. Flavor 38, Episode xix - Zach Galifianakis/Of Monsters and Men

- IMDb user rating: seven.6
- Votes: 145
- Air date: May four, 2013

"Game of Thrones" hadn't wavered in popularity since it premiered, and for proof, look back to 2013 when a surprise invitee appearance from Nikolaj Coster-Waldau made this "SNL" episode one to call up. A.V. Club writer David Sims called this episode the all-time of a "weak season," attributing much of the standout nature to the episode's skilled host, Zach Galifianakis.

5 / 100

#96. Season 38, Episode 21 - Ben Affleck/Kanye West

- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Votes: 149
- Air date: May 18, 2013

This finale episode saw the difference of two "SNL" greats: Bill Hader and Fred Armisen. Their last official episode as bandage members was bittersweet, every bit information technology offered Hader'south archetype character Stefon the opportunity to have ane more well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

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half-dozen / 100

#95. Flavor 37, Episode half-dozen - Emma Rock/Coldplay

- IMDb user rating: seven.vi
- Votes: 171
- Air date: November. 12, 2011

"SNL" is arguably at its all-time when it's skewering politics, as this episode'south take on the Republican presidential contend brilliantly demonstrated. Additionally, Emma Stone more held her ain in an episode where she took on everything from a Spider-Human being osculation to a nightmare guest at a bridal shower.

seven / 100

#94. Flavour 37, Episode xviii - Sofía Vergara/One Direction

- IMDb user rating: vii.half dozen
- Votes: 172
- Air date: Apr seven, 2012

Ambulation at the peak of 1 Direction'southward popularity and during an election year, this episode had something for a wide variety of viewers. In between skits virtually Mitt Romney and a bear witness-stopping male child band gear up, Sofia Vergara served up a memorable, only random, Fran Drescher impression.

8 / 100

#93. Season 39, Episode 19 - Andrew Garfield/Coldplay

- IMDb user rating: 7.six
- Votes: 183
- Air date: May 3, 2014

Coldplay'due south 5th advent coincided with Andrew Garfield's first time hosting, and included a cameo from Garfield'southward "Spider-Human" co-star and girlfriend Emma Stone. Garfield happily poked fun at his web-slinging character's history with life-saving kisses.

9 / 100

#92. Season 38, Episode 7 - Anne Hathaway/Rihanna

- IMDb user rating: vii.6
- Votes: 187
- Air date: November. 10, 2012

Every bit the 2012 election cycle came to an end, Jason Sudeikis stepped into Mitt Romney's shoes one final time every bit the politico drowned his sorrows in a wholesome glass of milk. Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway appeared in a buzzy "Homeland" sketch that poked fun at Claire Danes' cry face.

10 / 100

#91. Season 38, Episode six - Louis C.K./Fun

- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Votes: 206
- Air date: Nov. iii, 2012

In addition to a memorable sketch portraying "Fox and Friends," Louis C.K. also played Abraham Lincoln in a segment titled, "Lincoln," meant to parody his eponymous boob tube show, "Louis." Fun performed their hits, "Some Nights" and "Comport On."

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eleven / 100

#90. Flavor 39, Episode 7 - Josh Hutcherson/HAIM

- IMDb user rating: 7.six
- Votes: 211
- Air date: Nov. 23, 2013

Josh Hutcherson'southward episode came early in a season that introduced several new bandage members including Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett, and Mike O'Brien. The episode allowed all of them to showcase their talents, peculiarly Bennett, who earned much praise from his first-class "Baby Boss" sketch.

12 / 100

#89. Season 40, Episode nine - Martin Freeman/Charli XCX

- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Votes: 217
- Air appointment: December. 13, 2014

From Taran Killam'southward take on Charlie Rose to Martin Freeman and Leslie Jones' doomed couple sketch, this vacation episode stands out as an accented classic. Other memorable sketches include Freeman's "Hobbit" / "Role" mashup and Killam's version of "a comically robotic Alan Rickman."

13 / 100

#88. Season 41, Episode 3 - Tracy Morgan/Demi Lovato

- IMDb user rating: 7.half dozen
- Votes: 227
- Air engagement: October. 17, 2015

This episode marked Tracy Morgan's first advent on "SNL" since his tragic automobile accident in 2014. He came on and delivered the archetype jokes his fans have come to await, while also reminding viewers that "SNL" is capable of poignancy, too.

fourteen / 100

#87. Season 39, Episode ane - Tina Fey/Arcade Fire

- IMDb user rating: vii.6
- Votes: 233
- Air engagement: Sept. 28, 2013

With health care on anybody's minds, it was no surprise that the topic fueled much of the political material touched upon in the season 39 premiere. The material was given an extra heave thank you to several guest appearances by "Breaking Bad" star Aaron Paul.

fifteen / 100

#86. Season 1, Episode 1 - George Carlin/Baton Preston/Janis Ian

- IMDb user rating: 7.half-dozen
- Votes: 322
- Air date: October. xi, 1975

The first ever episode of "SNL" had to have nada short of a fable every bit the host. George Carlin performed monologues throughout the inaugural outing every bit original bandage member, every bit Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, and Gilda Radner ushered in i of Television set's most influential shows.

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16 / 100

#85. Flavour 42, Episode two - Lin-Manuel Miranda/20 One Pilots

- IMDb user rating: vii.6
- Votes: 351
- Air date: Oct. 8, 2016

"SNL" played on Lin-Manuel Miranda's playwright background for an outrageous sketch called "Crucible Bandage Political party." The highlight may take been the "Stranger Things" parody, nevertheless, in which the "Hamilton" creator plays Dustin.

17 / 100

#84. Flavour 42, Episode 1 - Margot Robbie/The Weeknd

- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Votes: 374
- Air date: Oct. one, 2016

Season 42 kicked things off with two new caput writers—Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider—and a hysterical faux presidential contend between Alec Baldwin's Donald Trump and Kate McKinnon's Hillary Clinton. It's amazing to think that the skit was so good that information technology overshadowed a superstar duo in "The Wolf of Wall Street" star Margot Robbie and R&B sensation The Weeknd.

eighteen / 100

#83. Flavor 4, Episode seven - Walter Matthau

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 51
- Air date: December. two, 1978

The late actor and comedian Walter Matthau hosted the Dec 1978 episode without a musical invitee. The ensemble bandage picked a soft-drink war at a Greek restaurant, and in lieu of the typical ring appearance, Garrett Morris performed Mozart at Matthau's asking.

19 / 100

#82. Flavor five, Episode one - Steve Martin/Blondie

- IMDb user rating: vii.7
- Votes: 65
- Air date: Oct. 13, 1979

At the "Weekend Update" desk, Jane Curtin and Bill Murray took on the headlines of the day, including the declaration of the 1980 Republican nominees and a visit to America from Fidel Castro. Steve Martin and Murray also play two tourists who wander onto the fix of a Television receiver bear witness, shocked and confused by the studio audience.

20 / 100

#81. Season 3, Episode fifteen - Christopher Lee/Meat Loaf

- IMDb user rating: vii.7
- Votes: 68
- Air date: March 25, 1978

The late Christopher Lee, famous for playing Count Dracula in a series of films from the 1950s–1970s and most recently Saruman in "The Lord of the Rings," hosted the 1978 show when Dan Aykroyd was notwithstanding writing and John Belushi still acting. Meat Loaf performed the hit "Two out of Three Ain't Bad."

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21 / 100

#80. Season 2, Episode v - Steve Martin/Kinky Friedman

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 79
- Air date: October. 23, 1976

Steve Martin worked alongside the likes of Chevy Hunt and Jane Curtin in this episode, which included Chase failing to endorse milk and the Yankees attempting to get over losing the World Series. Musical guest Kinky Friedman gave a performance of "Dear Abby."

22 / 100

#79. Season 33, Episode xi - Shia LaBeouf/My Morning Jacket

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 99
- Air date: May 10, 2008

With the Democratic primaries on the horizon, Amy Poehler's Hillary Clinton promises she will be a sore loser if she doesn't win the nomination in a sketch that allowed Poehler the chance to fully transform herself into the powerful politician. Afterwards in the episode, Poehler also plays a mother trying to brand her masculine daughter, played by Shia LaBeouf, more stylish.

23 / 100

#78. Season 32, Episode 5 - Alec Baldwin/Christina Aguilera

- IMDb user rating: vii.7
- Votes: 103
- Air date: November. 11, 2006

In 2006, "SNL" had assembled one of its strongest casts ever, thank you to a lineup that included Andy Samberg, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Seth Meyers, and Bill Hader. This particular episode included Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan guest-starring in Alec Baldwin'south monologue.

24 / 100

#77. Flavour 33, Episode 12 - Steve Carell/Conductor

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 108
- Air appointment: May 17, 2008

Any episode featuring Steve Carell as the host is jump to a standout, simply this episode got an extra boost from Sen. John McCain. At the time, he was on the presidential campaign trail, though he made fourth dimension to cease past "SNL" to make fun of himself in not one, only 2 sketches.

25 / 100

#76. Season 2, Episode 8 - Paul Simon/George Harrison

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 108
- Air engagement: Nov. 20, 1976

The great George Harrison was the evening'south musical guest, only he also proved to exist a scene-stealer. Early in the evidence, he tried to convince Lorne Michaels to requite him $3,000 for a previous advent by The Beatles.

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26 / 100

#75. Flavor one, Episode x - Buck Henry/Neb Withers, Toni Basil

- IMDb user rating: vii.7
- Votes: 111
- Air date: Jan. 17, 1976

In the first Halloween episode, Buck Henry suffered an injury during a scene with John Belushi that forced him to wearable a bandage on his head for the rest of the episode. His injury inspired the entire cast to don bandages as the episode progressed in a bit of brilliant improvisational humor.

27 / 100

#74. Season 33, Episode 9 - Christopher Walken/Panic! at the Disco

- IMDb user rating: vii.7
- Votes: 119
- Air date: April 5, 2008

Christopher Walken, who is famous for needing "more cowbell," returned to the show every bit host for the seventh time. Throughout the episode, he stars in a Walken family reunion, plays a man terrified of plants unless they have googly eyes fastened to them, and plays an unskilled competitor on a cooking reality show.

28 / 100

#73. Flavour 34, Episode 8 - Paul Rudd/Beyoncé

- IMDb user rating: vii.vii
- Votes: 140
- Air date: Nov. 15, 2008

This episode saw the debut of new cast members Abby Elliott and Michaela Watkins. Notwithstanding, having Beyoncé every bit a musical guest and the comedic Paul Rudd as a invitee truly helped make this episode sing.

29 / 100

#72. Season 34, Episode 4 - Anne Hathaway/The Killers

- IMDb user rating: seven.7
- Votes: 149
- Air date: Oct. 4, 2008

Though Anne Hathaway gave a masterful operation, as with most things she's ever been a part of, the Killers absolutely stole the show with this one. They gave masterful performances of both "Human" and "Spaceman" off of their third anthology "Twenty-four hour period & Age."

30 / 100

#71. Season 37, Episode fourteen - Zooey Deschanel/Karmin

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 175
- Air date: Feb. xi, 2012

Despite having sketches that discussed both the Superbowl and the presidential ballot, the real standout sketches from this episode all involved Pecker Hader playing Clint Eastwood. The three simulated ads were pitch-perfect and made for classic "SNL" sketches.

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31 / 100

#70. Season 38, Episode 5 - Bruno Mars

- IMDb user rating: vii.vii
- Votes: 192
- Air engagement: Oct. 20, 2012

While Bruno Mars was upfront near not being a comedian, he more than delivered during the night's several musical sketches. Information technology'due south Tom Hanks that actually stood out as an undecided voter during the episode'southward common cold open contend between Barack Obama, played by Jay Pharoah, and Hand Romney, played by Jason Sudeikis.

32 / 100

#69. Season 39, Episode 17 - Anna Kendrick/Pharrell Williams

- IMDb user rating: 7.vii
- Votes: 193
- Air date: Apr 5, 2014

In an episode overflowing with musical numbers, the fizzy joy of modernistic-day "SNL" was on full display, and withal it's Kate McKinnon's performance every bit the powerful German Chancellor Angela Merkel that made headlines.

33 / 100

#68. Season 41, Episode 21 - Fred Armisen/Courtney Barnett

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 200
- Air date: May 21, 2016

Erstwhile cast member Fred Armisen returned to host the 21st season finale. He was joined by another alum, Andy Samberg, who produced a brand new digital short for the outing. The "Goodbye Mr. Bunting" sketch, which is described equally having a "Pythonesque" quality, gave one reviewer the "biggest, most thoroughly earned express joy" the testify had prompted in years.

34 / 100

#67. Season 39, Episode 5 - Kerry Washington/Eminem

- IMDb user rating: seven.7
- Votes: 205
- Air engagement: Nov. two, 2013

In 2013, the show was facing criticism for a lack of diversity in the cast—namely that it had no Blackness female cast members. In the opening monologue, the show answered the criticism by having host Kerry Washington play numerous famous black women who worked in media.

35 / 100

#66. Flavour 40, Episode iv - Jim Carrey/Iggy Azalea

- IMDb user rating: 7.7
- Votes: 316
- Air date: Oct. 25, 2014

Jim Carrey went for broke in a Halloween outing during which he parodied Matthew McConaughey's intense car commercials and dressed upward as Sia in a leotard for a costume contest. A particularly strange but delightful scene was Carrey and Kate McKinnon in a "Chandelier"-inspired dance-off.

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36 / 100

#65. Flavour three, Episode 8 - Miskel Spillman/Elvis Costello

- IMDb user rating: 7.viii
- Votes: 55
- Air date: Dec. 17, 1977

One sketch—or perhaps not a sketch—involved Belushi and Miskel Spillman having smoked ane of the one-time'due south joints prior to the latter's opening monologue. Spillman also plays an fourscore-year-old girlfriend of a college student, meeting his parents, and Elvis Costello and the Attractions played "Watching the Detectives" and "Radio, Radio."

37 / 100

#64. Season 12, Episode 1 - Sigourney Weaver/Buster Poindexter

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Votes: 58
- Air engagement: Oct. 11, 1986

The premiere of flavour 12 followed a disastrous, near show-catastrophe season xi, driving "SNL" into "a new gold age." This flavour's cast included starting time-timers that would eventually become long-standing members, including Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, and Kevin Nealon.

38 / 100

#63. Season 3, Episode ix - Steve Martin/Randy Newman, Clay Band

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Votes: 63
- Air date: Jan. 21, 1978

Any episode that featured both an appearance from the Coneheads and an expert parody of President Jimmy Carter's Country of the Union address was sure to be a winner. Steve Martin's monologue was all over the place, and included electrocuting himself, accusing John Belushi of stealing $59 from him, and offering fiscal tips to the audition.

39 / 100

#62. Season iii, Episode 10 - Robert Klein/Bonnie Raitt

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Votes: 66
- Air date: Jan. 28, 1978

Monster lobsters, anyone? By 1978, "SNL" had perfected the art of balancing absurd sketches with sharp takes on the news. Having Bill Murray on manus as the "10-Law" added an actress layer of excitement to this outing.

40 / 100

#61. Season 4, Episode 8 - Eric Idle/Kate Bush-league

- IMDb user rating: 7.eight
- Votes: 75
- Air date: Dec. 9, 1978

Influential vocaliser Kate Bush fabricated her stateside television debut on "SNL" in 1978. Her alive performances of "The Human being With the Child in His Eyes" and "Them Heavy People" marked her arrival in the American music marketplace.

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41 / 100

#sixty. Season 2, Episode three - Eric Idle/Joe Cocker/Stuff

- IMDb user rating: 7.eight
- Votes: 86
- Air date: Oct. 2, 1976

The season 2 cast included Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, and Gilda Radner. Adding Eric Idle to the mix merely feels like an embarrassment of riches. In one of many memorable moments, Aykroyd and Idle clothes upwards in elevate and brainstorm "drag racing"—running effectually the studio while wearing dresses.

42 / 100

#59. Season 37, Episode 21 - Volition Ferrell/Usher

- IMDb user rating: seven.8
- Votes: 128
- Air date: May 12, 2012

In the season 37 finale, Will Ferrell brought back his timeless take on George W. Bush during a cold open up scene that constitute him attempting to cheer upward Joe Biden. This was the last episode for several of the core cast members at the fourth dimension.

43 / 100

#58. Season 38, Episode 10 - Martin Short/Paul McCartney

- IMDb user rating: seven.8
- Votes: 178
- Air date: Dec. 15, 2012

This episode aired shortly after the Sandy Hook Uncomplicated School shooting, during a time when America didn't feel like laughing. Rather than lean as well heavily into politics, "SNL" went for a experience-expert atmosphere instead with the warm and familiar one-act of host Martin Short.

44 / 100

#57. Season 45, Episode 7 - Will Ferrell/Male monarch Princess

- IMDb user rating: seven.8
- Votes: 208
- Air date: Nov. 23, 2019

This past November, one-time cast member Will Ferrell brought forth several heavyweight friends (Alec Baldwin, Ryan Reynolds, Larry David, and Maya Rudolph to proper name a few), and almost every sketch was resoundingly successful. In one, Ferrell and Kate McKinnon are parents in a take on a pizza ad, and in another Ferrell tries to sell united states on "Heinz Relax," a solution to ketchup fart sounds.

45 / 100

#56. Season 39, Episode half-dozen - Lady Gaga

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Votes: 228
- Air date: Nov. sixteen, 2013

Serving dually equally the host and musical guest, Lady Gaga showed the globe her sense of sense of humour. In various sketches, she played an older version of herself, and slyly nodded to her unique manner sense.

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46 / 100

#55. Flavour 41, Episode nine - Tina Fey & Amy Poehler/Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

- IMDb user rating: 7.8
- Votes: 290
- Air appointment: Dec. 19, 2015

In this holiday special, "SNL" queens Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took on hosting duties and gave a masterclass in how invitee hosts can drag an episode. Paste Magazine reviewer Chris White called the "See Your 2nd Wife" sketch, which was a satirical game bear witness with Fey and Poehler every bit hosts, the best of the season.

47 / 100

#54. Flavor five, Episode 2 - Eric Idle/Bob Dylan

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: l
- Air engagement: Oct. twenty, 1979

2 accented legends headlined the second episode of the show's fifth season: Monty Python great Eric Idle and singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, who performed iii songs. Mix a British comedy troupe'due south atomic number 82 and the likes of Billy Murray and you have a hit—even after the departures of Aykroyd and Belushi following the previous season.

48 / 100

#53. Season 20, Episode 20 - David Duchovny/Rod Stewart

- IMDb user rating: vii.ix
- Votes: 54
- Air date: May 13, 1995

In the popular May 1995 show, first-time host David Duchovny—at the height of "The 10-Files" fame—joined a cast of Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and Kevin Nealon for sketches like "Rock and Coil Existent Estate Amanuensis" and "The Beastman of Studio viii-H." Rod Stewart played "Maggie May" for the icing on the cake.

49 / 100

#52. Season 20, Episode 3 - John Travolta/Seal

- IMDb user rating: seven.9
- Votes: 54
- Air date: Oct. xv, 1994

In 1994, "SNL" had a bandage total of future big names, including Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, and Janeane Garofalo. John Travolta joined them equally his large-screen hitting "Pulp Fiction" was rapidly becoming a cult archetype.

50 / 100

#51. Season two, Episode 23 - Buck Henry/Jennifer Warnes/Kenny Vance

- IMDb user rating: vii.9
- Votes: 56
- Air date: May 21, 1977

Buck Henry often hosted the final episode of each flavour in the 1970s, and to close out the 2nd run, the "Graduate" screenwriter played Charles Lindbergh in one sketch. In some other, Bill Murray interviews his married woman and her hole-and-corner lover (Henry) from the shower.

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51 / 100

#50. Season 17, Episode 14 - Roseanne & Tom Arnold/Red Hot Chili Peppers

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 65
- Air date: February. 22, 1992

During the "Coffee Talk" sketch, Roseanne Barr, Madonna, and Mike Myers are all raving almost Barbra Streisand. What none of them know is that Streisand is actually in the studio, and their 18-carat shock when she appears remains a terrific moment.

52 / 100

#49. Flavour 17, Episode six - Linda Hamilton/Mariah Carey

- IMDb user rating: 7.nine
- Votes: 65
- Air date: Nov. xvi, 1991

There was never whatsoever doubt that Linda Hamilton would do a "Terminator" sketch while hosting "SNL," merely doing i about Toonces the puppet cat as the "Tooncinator" was not likely what people were expecting. Mariah Carey makes another appearance equally the musical guest, performing ii songs from her album released before in the year.

53 / 100

#48. Season 32, Episode xix - Molly Shannon/Linkin Park

- IMDb user rating: 7.nine
- Votes: 69
- Air date: May 12, 2007

Molly Shannon is another "SNL" alum who returned to serve as host, and in her monologue, she has a flashback to the '90s when she was crushing on Lorne Michaels. Her turn to guest occurred right at the beginning of the presidential race season, leading to the episode including a debate sketch featuring bottom known presidential hopefuls. Shannon also plays a wannabe stripper at "The Soprano's" Bada-Bing strip club.

54 / 100

#47. Season 32, Episode ten - Jake Gyllenhaal/The Shins

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 118
- Air date: Jan. 13, 2007

Long before Donald Trump was president, "SNL" was already finding sense of humour in the human being, as illustrated in this episode where an entire skit is built effectually his demand to hold a printing conference to bash Rosie O'Donnell. Jake Gyllenhaal dresses in drag and does a rendition of a "Dreamgirls" song for his "Brokeback Mountain" fans.

55 / 100

#46. Flavour 33, Episode 5 - Tina Fey/Carrie Underwood

- IMDb user rating: seven.9
- Votes: 128
- Air appointment: Feb. 23, 2008

Tina Fey returned to "SNL" and joined Amy Poehler at the "Weekend Update" desk for one of the almost iconic moments from the show in contempo memory. While discussing Hillary Clinton, Fey busted the famous line, "B*****s get stuff done."

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56 / 100

#45. Season 31, Episode 13 - Natalie Portman/Fall Out Boy

- IMDb user rating: 7.nine
- Votes: 136
- Air date: March iv, 2006

The cold open wasted no time in addressing Vice President Cheney's hunting blow, by having Volition Forte's President George W. Bush cursory the nation. The episode also featured the digital short "Natalie Raps," in which Natalie Portman answers Chris Parnell's interview with a shockingly aggressive and uncharacteristic rap.

57 / 100

#44. Flavour 34, Episode 22 - Volition Ferrell/Greenish Day

- IMDb user rating: seven.ix
- Votes: 141
- Air engagement: May 16, 2009

Will Ferrell returned for a second fourth dimension hosting afterwards his tenure as a cast member had ended. His advent was somewhat bittersweet as it coincided with the terminal episode for Darrell Hammond, Michaela Watkins, and Casey Wilson.

58 / 100

#43. Season 35, Episode 16 - Zach Galifianakis/Vampire Weekend

- IMDb user rating: vii.9
- Votes: 153
- Air appointment: March 6, 2010

Zach Galifianakis made his hosting debut in an episode where he also starred in the digital short "Zach Drops By the Set." Media reviewers weren't over the moon almost this episode, but seem to agree that Galifianakis killed it in his monologue.

59 / 100

#42. Season 37, Episode 22 - Mick Jagger

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 171
- Air appointment: May 19, 2012

Kristen Wiig, who was i of the MVPs of the modernistic "SNL" era, signed off in the episode that was hosted by musical guest Mick Jagger. Fifty-fifty classic cast fellow member Steve Martin made a special advent in honor of Wiig's last advent as a member of the testify's bandage.

60 / 100

#41. Flavor 41, Episode seven - Ryan Gosling/Leon Bridges

- IMDb user rating: 7.9
- Votes: 270
- Air date: Dec. 5, 2015

Ryan Gosling makes his hosting debut with a number of notable sketches, including an alien abduction scene starring Cecily Stiff, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, and Bobby Moynihan—who all struggle to conceal their own laughter. Nevertheless, a peculiarly memorable operation by Gosling in this episode is his role as a Santa-obsessed holiday party-goer.

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61 / 100

#40. Season 38, Episode 1 - Seth MacFarlane/Frank Body of water

- IMDb user rating: seven.9
- Votes: 280
- Air engagement: Sept. 15, 2012

Jay Pharoah officially took over the function of President Obama from Fred Armisen in this premiere episode—news of which was leaked to the printing by Lorne Michaels the week before. Seth MacFarlane "effortlessly" transformed into swimmer Ryan Lochte as a guest on "Weekend Update."

62 / 100

#39. Season 17, Episode 17 - Sharon Stone/Pearl Jam

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 52
- Air date: Apr 11, 1992

Memorable sketches from Sharon Stone's 1992 episode include "Aerodrome Security Check" and "The P**no Couple," in which Rock'south husband confesses to acting in adult films—not merely regular films—and she admits she is a "p**n scientist." Pearl Jam brought the business firm down with "Alive" and "Porch."

63 / 100

#38. Flavor 18, Episode 14 - Bill Murray/Sting

- IMDb user rating: eight.0
- Votes: 53
- Air engagement: Feb. twenty, 1993

The erstwhile cast regular returned to host this postal service-Valentine'due south episode. In "Coffee Talk," Mike Myers is talk testify host Linda Richman, who interviews apartment 4C neighbour Claude Kaufman (Pecker Murray), whom she'd just met in the laundry room. Kaufman is a casting agent for television testimonials.

64 / 100

#37. Season iv, Episode twenty - Buck Henry/Bette Midler

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 54
- Air engagement: May 26, 1979

Henry returned to host the final episode of bandage regulars Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Aykroyd portrays Richard Nixon in an attempt to justify the Watergate scandal.

65 / 100

#36. Season 17, Episode 9 - Steve Martin/James Taylor

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 55
- Air engagement: Dec. 1991

Steve Martin, who appeared in nearly 30 episodes and hosted over a dozen times, hysterically plays true cat-owning Grandma Pugga who meets the girlfriend of Tim (Chris Farley). A star-studded duo (Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealon) shines as "The Doormen," who tend to their NYC residents and talk over preferable undergarments and hospital gowns' platonic airflow.

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66 / 100

#35. Season sixteen, Episode 4 - Patrick Swayze/Mariah Carey

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 71
- Air engagement: Oct. 27, 1990

Rob Schneider fabricated his "SNL" debut while Patrick Swayze starred in a skit near a second "Ghost" motion-picture show and auditioned to be a Chippendales dancer aslope Chris Farley. This was also Mariah Carey's get-go time actualization on the show, and it came shortly subsequently releasing her cocky-titled studio album—the beginning of her superstardom.

67 / 100

#34. Flavour ii, Episode 15 - Steve Martin/The Kinks

- IMDb user rating: eight.0
- Votes: 77
- Air appointment: Feb. 26, 1977

Repeat host Steve Martin continued to evangelize the goods in this 1977 episode that continued to pave the way for an eventual "Coneheads" pic. The episode also had Gilda Radner equally Jackie Onassis in a weightlifting match with a Russian champion.

68 / 100

#33. Season 2, Episode 10 - Candice Bergen/Frank Zappa

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 77
- Air date: Dec. eleven, 1976

The pairing of Candice Bergen and John Belushi ever led to skilful things in the evidence'southward early history, and this episode was no dissimilar. From their "Casablanca" skit to the wonderful silliness of "Prefer Belushi For Christmas," the comedic pairing nailed every sketch they put on together.

69 / 100

#32. Season 1, Episode 22 - Elliott Gould/Leon Redbone, Harlan Collins & Joyce Everson

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 81
- Air appointment: May 29, 1976

In a 12-minute sketch that remains the gold standard of "SNL" comedy, the show lovingly skewered the endlessly hopeful "Star Trek" with "The Last Voyage of the Starship Enterprise." Before in the episode, Dan Aykroyd plays a character that is taken advantage of past Chevy Chase'due south character—and his interpreter—in a poker game.

lxx / 100

#31. Season 25, Episode sixteen - Christopher Walken/Christina Aguilera

- IMDb user rating: eight.0
- Votes: 92
- Air date: April 8, 2000

In 2000, the "SNL" cast included Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, and Tracy Morgan—and joining those heavy hitters for the week was Christopher Walken. He took on a number of archetype characters, but possibly none quite as well-done as Fidel Castro. This is also the episode where Walken has "gotta have more cowbell" from the ring.

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71 / 100

#thirty. Flavor iv, Episode half dozen - Carrie Fisher/The Blues Brothers

- IMDb user rating: viii.0
- Votes: 96
- Air date: November. 18, 1978

Every bit "Star Wars" was slowly taking over pop culture, a young Carrie Fisher showed flashes of the comic brilliance that would later define her career. She delivered the opening monologue in full Princess Leia gear, considering who would recognize her otherwise, she mused.

72 / 100

#29. Season 1, Episode 19 - Madeline Kahn/Carly Simon

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 100
- Air date: May eight, 1976

The two biggest standouts in Madeline Kahn's episode came in the form of two completely different sketches. "Concluding Days" is "SNL" political commentary at its sharpest, while "Sleep Party" is an intimately funny ode to learning almost the birds and the bees.

73 / 100

#28. Season 32, Episode 16 - Peyton Manning/Carrie Underwood

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 157
- Air date: March 24, 2007

"SNL" hosts from the earth of sports are a rarity, but Peyton Manning delivered a serviceable functioning in an episode that may have brought a few new eyes to the aging serial. At one point in the episode, Manning plays an actor for the flick "300," in which he butts heads with the director because he doesn't want to murder his co-star.

74 / 100

#27. Flavor 39, Episode 21 - Andy Samberg/St. Vincent

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 205
- Air date: May 17, 2014

One-time regular Andy Samberg airtight out the 39th season in outrageous way, starring in an ad for "Testicules," a men'south perfume for "down in that location." He'd too recorded a memorable digital brusque ("Hugs") with Lonely Island and Pharrell to rap-explain to their female honey interests they're not "an item" just because they gave them hugs.

75 / 100

#26. Flavour 41, Episode 15 - Ariana Grande

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 281
- Air engagement: March 12, 2016

Ariana Grande, who's best known as a pop vocalizer, surprised audiences by proving to be a funny host with a knack for impersonations—including ones of Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, and Shakira. Fourth dimension writer Daniel D'Addario wrote, "Grande had never earlier had the occasion to reveal that she could do and then much more than striking the correct notes."

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76 / 100

#25. Season 43, Episode 21 - Donald Glover/Childish Gambino

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 358
- Air date: May 5, 2018

Non only did Donald Glover accident fans away as a host, he also debuted his new unmarried "This is America." The powerful canticle with messages nigh gun violence, consumerism, and Black America proved to be one of the most prominent songs of the year.

77 / 100

#24. Season 42, Episode half-dozen - Dave Chappelle/A Tribe Called Quest

- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Votes: 489
- Air date: Nov. 12, 2016

In what was conspicuously a long overdue arrival, Dave Chappelle made his "SNL" debut in 2016. In the same episode, the famed rap group A Tribe Called Quest debuted their new song "Nosotros the People."

78 / 100

#23. Season 12, Episode viii - William Shatner/Lone Justice

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 55
- Air date: Dec. twenty, 1986

William Shatner stepped on a few toes in his opening monologue when he discussed attending his first "Star Trek" convention, and then told Trekkies that they needed to become a life. His argument aside, the actor went on to parody the classic intergalactic series in the episode.

79 / 100

#22. Season 3, Episode five - Ray Charles

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 62
- Air date: Nov. 12, 1977

Ray Charles was one of the outset musicians to pull double-duty as the host and musical invitee, and he set the bar high. Not only were his musical segments amongst the bear witness's very best, he also played upwardly his comedic talents in sketches such every bit "The Young Caucasians."

80 / 100

#21. Season iv, Episode 4 - Steve Martin/Van Morrison

- IMDb user rating: eight.1
- Votes: 64
- Air appointment: Nov. four, 1978

Dan Aykroyd continued to set up the standard for presidential portrayals equally Jimmy Carter. In the episode's early moments, he gives an impassioned speech about why inflation might not exist so bad.

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81 / 100

#xx. Season xl, Episode sixteen - Dwayne Johnson/George Ezra

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 213
- Air date: March 28, 2015

Dwayne Johnson introduced still another iteration of President Obama—The Rock Obama, a Hulk-ish version of the former president that no 1 wants to get aroused. A.V. Social club reviewer Dennis Perkins called Johnson's fourth time hosting and specifically his eating house sketch the "brightest hosting moment" in a future "Best Of Dwayne Johnson" plan.

82 / 100

#19. Season 43, Episode 18 - Bill Hader/Arcade Fire

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 293
- Air date: March 17, 2018

Bill Hader returned for his second time hosting, and he brought along a friend: Fred Armisen. Together, these two alums added a fleck of old-school fun to the latest flavor, with Hader performing multiple impressions in a "Jurassic Park" audition sketch, including the likes of Alan Alda, Al Pacino, and Clint Eastwood.

83 / 100

#18. Flavour 42, Episode 4 - Tom Hanks/Lady Gaga

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 402
- Air date: Oct. 22, 2016

What could take been a standard Halloween episode became legendary thanks to ane perfect sketch. In his ninth turn hosting, Tom Hanks starred every bit David Simon Pumpkins, sparking an net obsession.

84 / 100

#17. Season 42, Episode 13 - Kristen Stewart/Alessia Cara

- IMDb user rating: 8.1
- Votes: 408
- Air date: Feb. 4, 2017

Melissa McCarthy's Sean Spicer arrives on the scene in all of his celebrity, condign a recurring political sketch. The same episode also included a surprising turn with Alec Baldwin taking on the role of President Donald Trump in the Oval Function.

85 / 100

#16. Season 37, Episode xv - Maya Rudolph/Sleigh Bells

- IMDb user rating: 8.2
- Votes: 186
- Air appointment: Feb. 18, 2012

Maya Rudolph returned to her erstwhile stomping ground to remind anybody what the show was missing without her, and in the process, she starred in "Maya Angelou'due south I Know Why The Caged Bird Laughs," a sketch that displayed her talents to the accented fullest. The monologue Rudolph opened with for her first time hosting "SNL" highlighted her stage presence with a performance of "Exercise Ya Wanna Funk?"

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86 / 100

#15. Season 34, Episode 21 - Justin Timberlake/Ciara

- IMDb user rating: viii.2
- Votes: 194
- Air date: May 9, 2009

Justin Timberlake is a perennial favorite on "SNL," and for skilful reason—the former boy band heartthrob displays his comedic skills again when he teams up with Kristen Wiig for a "Target Lady" sketch. Timberlake likewise performed "Honey Sexual practice Magic" with musical guest Ciara.

87 / 100

#14. Season 41, Episode 12 - Larry David/The 1975

- IMDb user rating: 8.ii
- Votes: 274
- Air date: Feb. half-dozen, 2016

Information technology seems baffling that Larry David didn't make his guest host debut until 2016, but the comic did not disappoint. His take on Bernie Sanders is specially memorable, i reviewer even proverb David took information technology "beyond impersonation…into something of a whimsical caricature."

88 / 100

#13. Flavour 44, Episode fourteen - John Mulaney/Thomas Rhett

- IMDb user rating: 8.ii
- Votes: 300
- Air appointment: March two, 2019

Former show author John Mulaney's render meant a heavyweight cameo lineup, every bit Ben Stiller plays Michael Cohen in the cold open, and Bill Hader hosts game bear witness "What'south that Name?" (in which Mulaney and Cecily Strong permit down their closest friends). Later, Mulaney, Stiff, Pete Davidson, and Kate McKinnon are lawyers on the legal edition of "Shark Tank," where celebrities make their case to notice assistance.

89 / 100

#12. Season 40, Episode 3 - Beak Hader/Hozier

- IMDb user rating: viii.ii
- Votes: 317
- Air appointment: Oct. xi, 2014

Bill Hader brought back a number of his classic characters for this hosting gig, and, aye, that includes the infamous Stefon. He as well offers a new impression of a heartbroken True cat in the Hat in a sitcom-style sketch with Cecily Strong as Linda, his lost honey.

90 / 100

#xi. Season 21, Episode 20 - Jim Carrey/Soundgarden

- IMDb user rating: 8.4
- Votes: 150
- Air engagement: May 18, 1996

In this 1996 episode, "SNL" saw another major bandage turnover—this marked the final episode for David Spade, David Koechner, and Nancy Walls. In this episode, Jim Carrey plays an unusual spaceman in his monologue, and later an overprotective lifeguard watching out for Will Ferrell's character, who is in an indoor whirlpool bath.

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91 / 100

#10. Season 44, Episode 19 - Adam Sandler/Shawn Mendes

- IMDb user rating: viii.4
- Votes: 336
- Air date: May 4, 2019

Former regular Adam Sandler kicked off the bear witness with a song titled, "I Was fired," in response to his daughter wondering why he left the show if it was the "time of his life." Later, he plays Joe Romano of "Romano Tours," a quirky guide whose family has for generations provided tours of Italy to people from all over the world—"but mostly Long Isle and Jersey."

92 / 100

#9. Season 36, Episode 22 - Justin Timberlake/Lady Gaga

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 256
- Air date: May 21, 2011

Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, and Andy Samberg teamed upward to perform a new Lonely Island song "iii-way," in which Patricia Clarkson and Susan Sarandon likewise appeared. The earthy number farther solidified Timberlake's status as an "SNL" golden male child.

93 / 100

#8. Flavour 37, Episode 10 - Jimmy Fallon/Michael Bublé

- IMDb user rating: 8.5
- Votes: 261
- Air date: Dec. 17, 2011

Jimmy Fallon'southward first time hosting "SNL" since his departure every bit a bandage member brought back some major nostalgia every bit well as guest stars. The list of surprise appearances included Chris Kattan, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Jude Police.

94 / 100

#vii. Season 3, Episode 18 - Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 110
- Air date: Apr 22, 1978

In this episode, the iconic duo of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi made their debut as "The Blues Brothers." The popular culture impact of the deed truly tin can't be overstated, and this is where it all began, making it an instant "SNL" classic.

95 / 100

#6. Season 1, Episode 7 - Richard Pryor/Gil Scott-Heron

- IMDb user rating: viii.6
- Votes: 199
- Air appointment: December. thirteen, 1975

Richard Pryor appeared on "SNL" just one time, simply his advent left a lasting impression. Alongside Chevy Chase, he participated in a sketch called "Discussion Association," in which the two men traded racial slurs that would never brand their style onto Idiot box today; the skit remains one of the almost shocking and daring stunts the bear witness has ever pulled.

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96 / 100

#5. Flavor 32, Episode nine - Justin Timberlake

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 244
- Air date: Dec. 16, 2006

Why is this episode so revered? Because it was office of the show's revitalization that made it relevant in pop culture again, and it's all cheers to the Lonely Isle song "D*ck in a Box."

97 / 100

#four. Season 38, Episode 16 - Justin Timberlake

- IMDb user rating: 8.6
- Votes: 303
- Air date: March ix, 2013

This episode marked host and musical invitee Justin Timberlake'due south inauguration into the 5-Timers Society. Timberlake was welcomed in a skit with several other lodge members, including Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Candice Bergen, and Paul Simon (who has actually not hosted five times, but four). Dan Aykroyd made an appearance as the bartender at the club, with Martin Short playing the waiter, once again.

98 / 100

#3. Flavor 35, Episode 21 - Betty White/Jay-Z

- IMDb user rating: eight.8
- Votes: 376
- Air date: May 8, 2010

An cyberspace campaign landed the incredible Betty White a gig hosting "SNL," and she made the most of every minute. More than than that, the episode became an ode to the show's indelible female person cast members, past and present, as they one-by-one joined White celebrating her milestone.

99 / 100

#2. Season 39, Episode ten - Jimmy Fallon/Justin Timberlake

- IMDb user rating: 8.8
- Votes: 455
- Air date: December. 21, 2013

Taking 2d on the list is Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake's bromance-fueled episode. These ii take a friendship that translates beautifully to the screen, as they reveal in their pitch-perfect "The Barry Gibb Talk Testify" sketch.

100 / 100

#1. Flavour 45, Episode 10 - Eddie Murphy/Lizzo

- IMDb user rating: 8.9
- Votes: 432
- Air date: Dec. 21, 2019

Earning top honors is the twelvemonth-end 2019 episode hosted by the legendary Eddie Spud, whose return brought out the likes of Larry David as Bernie Sanders, Rachel Dratch every bit Amy Klobuchar, and Fred Armisen equally Michael Bloomberg—and that was just the cold open. In "Cut for Time: A Holiday Gig," bandmates Murphy, Kenan Thompson, and Kyle Mooney cannot stop arguing and interrupting their own testify. The cherry on summit for the #i episode: Lizzo performing "Truth Hurts" live from Studio 8H.

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