The BEST episodes of Saturday Night Live season 36

Every episode of Saturday Night Live season 36, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Saturday Night Live season 36!

Each week, a famous guest host appears in sketches and parodies alongside a roster of up-and-coming comedians. A popular musical guest, short films, and Weekend Update - a recurring satirical newscast - form the backbone of one of the most influential and culturally significant TV shows in history.

Last Updated: 12/14/2024Network: NBCStatus: Continuing
Justin Timberlake/Lady Gaga
star
8.09
185 votes

#1 - Justin Timberlake/Lady Gaga

Season 36 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/21/2011

Sketches include Rikers Island, Liquorville, WXPD News, Three-Way (Digital Short), What's That Name?, Merry-Go-Love Tunnel, Secret Word and The Barry Gibbs Talk Show. Lady Gaga performs "The Edge of Glory", "Judas" and "Born This Way".

Zach Galifianakis/Jessie J.
star
7.99
227 votes

#2 - Zach Galifianakis/Jessie J.

Season 36 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/12/2011

Sketches include March Madness Cold Open, partial Zach Monologue, The Talk, Comedy Tour, Scared Straight, Digital Short: Zach Looks for a New Assistant, Weekend Update, Canadian Entertainment Show, Corn Syrup Commercial, and Titanic.

star
7.69
216 votes

#3 - Dana Carvey/Linkin Park

Season 36 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/5/2011

Sketches include Wayne's World Cold Open featuring Mike Myers, Dana Carvey Monologue, Sleepmate Pro, Church Chat featuring Justin Bieber, Teen Crisis Hotline, The Roommate featuring Justin Bieber, Weekend Update, Pageant Preview, and more.

Amy Poehler/Katy Perry
star
7.68
304 votes

#4 - Amy Poehler/Katy Perry

Season 36 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/25/2010

America's long-running sketch comedy show returns for Season 36 with "SNL" alum Amy Poehler helming the cast and fielding kisses from Justin Timberlake. Sketches include Bronx Beat, Hair Restoration, Maternity Matters, Wedding Venue, and more.

Elton John/Leon Russell
star
7.65
191 votes

#5 - Elton John/Leon Russell

Season 36 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/2/2011

Sketches include Lawrence Welk Cold Open, Elton John Monologue, ESPN Classic: Ladies Shot Put, Knights of the Realm, An SNL Digital Short: Laser Cats #6, Elton John & Leon Russell: "Hey Ahab", Weekend Update, Elton Visits the Queen, and more.

Jane Lynch/Bruno Mars
star
7.64
257 votes

#6 - Jane Lynch/Bruno Mars

Season 36 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/9/2010

Sketches include Ask Gloria Allred Cold Open, Jane Lynch Monologue, Facebook, New Boyfriend Talk Show, Christine O'Donnell Ad, Secret Word, An SNL Digital Short: Relaxation Therapy, Returns & Exchanges and more.

Ed Helms/Paul Simon
star
7.58
72 votes

#7 - Ed Helms/Paul Simon

Season 36 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/14/2011

Sketches include The Situation Room, Corn Syrup Producers of America, What up with that?, The Ambiguously Gay Duo: The Dark, Clenched Hole of Evil, Wild World, One-Take Tony, Ann-Margret Tries To Throw A Wad Of Paper Into A Trashcan, and A Republican Candidate.

Jesse Eisenberg/Nicki Minaj
star
7.52
222 votes

#8 - Jesse Eisenberg/Nicki Minaj

Season 36 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/29/2011

Sketches include Bachmann Address Cold Open, Eisenberg Monologue featuring Mark Zuckerberg, Estromaxx, Mister Wizard, Herb Welch, An SNL Digital Short: The Creep featuring Nicki Minaj, Weekend Update, Bride of Blackenstein, MTV Skins, and more.

Bryan Cranston/Kanye West
star
7.42
285 votes

#9 - Bryan Cranston/Kanye West

Season 36 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/2/2010

Sketches include Rahm Emanuel Address Cold Open, Bryan Cranston Song Monologue, Pepto Bismol Ice, Miley Cyrus Show, What Up With That?, Shanna: Basketball Game, An SNL Digitial Short: Rescue Dogs 3-D, and Weekend Update.

Emma Stone/Kings of Leon
star
7.40
257 votes

#10 - Emma Stone/Kings of Leon

Season 36 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/23/2010

Sketches include Obama & Reid Cold Open, Emma Stone Monologue, Baby Spanx, Makeover Show, Headline News Show, An SNL Digital Short: I Broke My Arm, The View, Wrangler Jeans Commercial, Weekend Update and more.

Russell Brand/Chris Brown
star
7.39
190 votes

#11 - Russell Brand/Chris Brown

Season 36 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/12/2011

Sketches include O'Reilly/Obama Cold Open, Russell Monologue, Spider-Man Lawsuit, Vacation Giveaway, British Movie Trailer, Royal Taster, Chris Brown "Yeah 3X", Weekend Update, and more.

Tina Fey/Ellie Goulding
star
7.37
198 votes

#12 - Tina Fey/Ellie Goulding

Season 36 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/7/2011

Sketches include Osama Cold Open, Mother's Message Monologue, GOP Debate, Mermaid, An SNL Digital Short: Jack Sparrow, Weekend Update, Birthing Class, Bedelia - Sleepover, Pregnant in Heels, Discount Prom Wear, and Hallmark Mother's Day.

Paul Rudd/Paul McCartney
star
7.22
195 votes

#13 - Paul Rudd/Paul McCartney

Season 36 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/11/2010

Sketches include Obama Address Cold Open, Paul Monologue, Cat Cuisine, Kissing Family, What's That Name, Message From MasterCard, Sexually Speaking, Weekend Update, Field Day, and Ice Show at the Garden (Meryl Streep on Ice).

Jon Hamm/Rihanna
star
7.03
280 votes

#14 - Jon Hamm/Rihanna

Season 36 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/30/2010

Rihanna performs "What's My Name" and "“Only Girl (In The World)" Sketches include Biden Cold Open, Jon Hamm Monologue, An SNL Digital Short: Ronnie And Clyde, Vincent Price Halloween, Back To The Future Screen Tests, I Didn't Ask For This, Highway Cops, Darlique & Barney, Dog in Purse

star
7.01
163 votes

#15 - Jeff Bridges/Eminem

Season 36 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/18/2010

Sketches include White House Christmas Party Cold Open, Christmas Song Monologue (Silver Bells with Cookie Monster), A Message From Mark Zuckerberg, Miley Cyrus Show, An SNL Digital Short: I Just Had Sex, Larry King Live and more.

star
7.00
249 votes

#16 - Scarlett Johansson/Arcade Fire

Season 36 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/13/2010

Sketches include G-20 Cold Open, 16 and Pregnant Spinoffs, Millionaire Matchmaker, Manuel Ortiz Show, Unstoppable Trailer, Hollywood Dish, Weekend Update including Jay & Jason as George W. Bush & Kanye West; Vanessa & Fredas, and more.

Jim Carrey/The Black Keys
star
6.97
177 votes

#17 - Jim Carrey/The Black Keys

Season 36 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/8/2011

Sketches include Bloomberg Cold Open, Jim Carrey Monologue, Hair Restoration, Black Swan, Finding Your Power (Healing Conversations), Grady Wilson's Tantric N' Tasty, Worst of Soul Train, Weekend Update, Amusement Park Ride and more.

Anne Hathaway/Florence + the Machine
star
6.96
195 votes

#18 - Anne Hathaway/Florence + the Machine

Season 36 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/20/2010

Sketches include Rachel Maddow Cold Open, Anne Hathaway Monologue, Message from the TSA, Miley Cyrus Show, Penelope Thanksgiving, Visiting the Queen, Weekend Update, Herb Welch, Black Friday, and Camel Tame.

Miley Cyrus/The Strokes
star
6.85
134 votes

#19 - Miley Cyrus/The Strokes

Season 36 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/5/2011

Sketches include Winning It Cold Open, Miley Perfect Monologue, Baby Spanx, Our Time with Taboo & Apl De App, Disney Channel Acting School, Miley Cyrus Show, The Strokes "Under Cover of Darkness," Weekend Update, and more.

Helen Mirren/Foo Fighters
star
6.77
104 votes

#20 - Helen Mirren/Foo Fighters

Season 36 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/9/2011

Sketches include Presidential Address Cold Open, Celebrity Taxes, An SNL Digital Short: Helen Mirren's Magic Bosom, Fox and Friends, Mary Shelley, Foo Fighters "Rope," Weekend Update, Underground Festival - Easter, The Roosevelts, and more.

Gwyneth Paltrow/Cee Lo Green
star
6.55
163 votes

#21 - Gwyneth Paltrow/Cee Lo Green

Season 36 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/15/2011

Sketches include Fox News Cold Open, Country Monologue, The Cape Promo, Secret Word, An SNL Digital Short: Andy & Pee Wee's Night Out, Bar Mitzvah Songs, Record Meeting, Weekend Update, Fresh Prince Lost Episodes, ESPN Deportes, and more.

Robert De Niro/Diddy-Dirty Money
star
6.54
137 votes

#22 - Robert De Niro/Diddy-Dirty Money

Season 36 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/4/2010

Sketches include WikiLeaks Cold Open, New York Monologue, Book Ad, What Up With That, Mr. Produce, An SNL Digital Short: Party at Mr. Bernard's, Weekend Update, Movie Fan, Blizzard Man, Vinny Talks to De Niro, Hair Restoration, and more.