The BEST episodes of Saturday Night Live season 37

Every episode of Saturday Night Live season 37, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Saturday Night Live season 37!

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
Will Ferrell/Usher
star
8.23
218 votes

#1 - Will Ferrell/Usher

Season 37 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/12/2012

Host Will Ferrell; Usher performs "Scream" and "Climax". Sketches include Obama Visits Biden Cold Open, Will Ferrell’s Mother’s Day Monologue, Cold Commercial, ESPN Golf, Digital Short: 100th Digital Short, Weekend Update with Get In The Cage, Really?! and guest The Hulk, Funkytown Debate, Broadway Sizzle and Anniversary Party.

Directors: Don Roy King
Maya Rudolph/Sleigh Bells
star
8.16
246 votes

#2 - Maya Rudolph/Sleigh Bells

Season 37 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/18/2012

Host Maya Rudolph; Sleigh Bells perform "Comeback Kid" and "End of the Line". Sketches include Linsanity Postgame Cold Open, Maya Angelou Prank Show, Jay-Z and Beyonce’s Baby, Sleigh Bells: Comeback Kid, Really? with Seth and Amy, What Up With That: President’s Day Special, Super Showcase, Cosby Obama, Sleigh Bells: End Of The Line and How’s He Doing?.

Directors: Don Roy King
Mick Jagger
star
8.06
102 votes

#3 - Mick Jagger

Season 37 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/19/2012

Mick Jagger hosts and performs with Arcade Fire & Jeff Beck. Sketches include Lawrence Welk Cold Open, Secret Word, Karaoke, Digital Short: Lazy Sunday 2, Politics Nation – Wall Street, The Californians and Weekend Update with guest Stefon.

Directors: Don Roy King
Jimmy Fallon/Michael Bublé
star
7.90
174 votes

#4 - Jimmy Fallon/Michael Bublé

Season 37 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/17/2011

Host Jimmy Fallon; Michael Bublé performs "Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Sketches include Sully and Denise Cold Open, Today Show, Buble Duets, Jimmy Mirror, 1920s Holiday Party, One Man Show, Christmas Treat, Weekend Update with Get In The Cage, Beethoven, War Horse and Tebow.

Directors: Don Roy King
Jonah Hill/The Shins
star
7.79
87 votes

#5 - Jonah Hill/The Shins

Season 37 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/10/2012

Host Jonah Hill; The Shins performs "Simple Song" and "It's Only Life". Sketches include Rush Limbaugh Cold Open, Six Year Old Returns, J-Pop, Digital Short: Tennis Balls, Weekend Update with guests Stefon, Sarah Palin and Paula Deen, Brutus and Liza Minnelli Turns Off A Lamp.

Directors: Don Roy King
Zooey Deschanel/Karmin
star
7.76
118 votes

#6 - Zooey Deschanel/Karmin

Season 37 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/11/2012

Host Zooey Deschanel; Karmin performs "Brokenhearted" and "I Told You So". Sketches include Mitt Romney Primaries Cold Open, Clint Eastwood Chrysler Ads, Piers Morgan Tonight: Super Bowl Halftime, French Dance, Newspaper, Weekend Update with Get In The Cage and guest Ariana Huffington, Bein’ Quirky with Zooey Deschanel, Verizon Ad, Patio Party, Technology Hump and Victorian Ladies.

Directors: Don Roy King
Jason Segel/Florence + the Machine
star
7.75
206 votes

#7 - Jason Segel/Florence + the Machine

Season 37 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/19/2011

Host Jason Segel; Florcene + the Machine performs "Shake It Out" and "No Light, No Light". Sketches include Mitt Romney Shake Up Cold Open, Jason Segel Monologue with the Muppets, Regis Philbin Auditions, Kemper Pedic Bed, Kissing Family Thanksgiving, Weekend Update with guests Jon Huntsman and Really with Seth and Kermit, Retirement Party, New Jack Thanksgiving, Digital Short: Seducing Women Through Chess, Andre The Giant Gets An Ice Cream and The Blue Jean Committee.

Directors: Don Roy King
Katy Perry/Robyn
star
7.72
171 votes

#8 - Katy Perry/Robyn

Season 37 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/10/2011

Host Katy Perry; Robyn performs "Call Your Girlfriend" and "Dancing on My Own". Sketches include On The Record Cold Open, J-Pop Talk Show, New Year’s Eve Sequel, Finnish Talk Show, Digital Short: Best Friends, Doggie Duty, Weekend Update with guests Rebecca Larue, Capt. Steve Rogers and Stefon, Pippa Visits The Queen, Politics Nation with Al Sharpton and One Magical Night.

Directors: Don Roy King
Anna Faris/Drake
star
7.69
100 votes

#9 - Anna Faris/Drake

Season 37 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/15/2011

Host Anna Faris; Drake performs "Headlines" and "Make Me Proud" (the latter with Nicki Minaj). Sketches include Bloomberg-Occupy Wall Street Cold Open, The Manuel Ortiz Show, Lifetime Game Show, SNL Digital Short: Drake Interview, GOP Debate II, Weekend Update with Anthony Crispino and Teenage Werewolves, J-Pop Talk Show, Bookstore, Charlie Rose: Steve Jobs and Wyndemere.

Directors: Don Roy King
Channing Tatum/Bon Iver
star
7.69
118 votes

#10 - Channing Tatum/Bon Iver

Season 37 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/4/2012

Host Channing Tatum; Bon Iver performs "Holocene" and "Beth/Rest". Sketches include Exercise Commercial, Sci-Fi Cold Open, Getting Freaky with Cee Lo, NBC Football Promo, Secret Word, Weekend Update with guests Lana Del Rey and Guy Fieri, Tom Brady and Janet and Strip Club.

Directors: Don Roy King
Josh Brolin/Gotye
star
7.67
180 votes

#11 - Josh Brolin/Gotye

Season 37 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/14/2012

Host Josh Brolin; Gotye performs "Somebody That I Used to Know" and "Eyes Wide Open". Sketches include The Californians, Digital Short: Laser Cats 7, Weekend Update with guests Garth and Kat, Piers Morgan Tonight: Trayvon Martin and Principal Frye Pro.

Directors: Don Roy King
Charlie Day/Maroon 5
star
7.61
95 votes

#12 - Charlie Day/Maroon 5

Season 37 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/5/2011

Host Charlie Day; Maroon 5 performs "Moves Like Jagger" and "Stereo Hearts". Sketches include Ghost of Gaddafi Cold Open, Kardashian Divorce Special, Ask Dr. Oz, Greek Gods, Getting Freaky with Cee Lo, Comedy Tour 2, Weekend Update with guests Judy Grimes and Rick Perry, Dolphin Movie and Crime Scene.

Directors: Don Roy King
Eli Manning/Rihanna
star
7.55
115 votes

#13 - Eli Manning/Rihanna

Season 37 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/5/2012

Host Eli Manning; Rihanna performs a medley of "Birthday Cake" and "Talk That Talk" and "Where Have You Been". Sketches include Fox and Friends Cold Open, Amazon Mother’s Day Ad, Motion Capture, Text Message Evidence, Little Brothers, Herb Welch: Occupy Movement, Weekend Update with guests Admiral General Aladeen and Patricia Krentcil, What Is This?, Helga Lately, Miss Drag World and TCM Comedy: Cheech and Chong.

Directors: Don Roy King
Melissa McCarthy/Lady Antebellum
star
7.53
186 votes

#14 - Melissa McCarthy/Lady Antebellum

Season 37 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/1/2011

Host Melissa McCarthy; Lady Antebellum performs performs "We Owned the Night" and "Just a Kiss". Sketches include Lawrence Welk Cold Open, Lil Poundcake, Arlene, Internet Comments Talk Show, Chris Rock on Broadway, Weekend Update with guests Tyler Perry and Childhood Friends of Moammar Gaddafi, Taste Test, Lulu Diamonds, Complaints and Netflix Apology.

Directors: Don Roy King
Daniel Radcliffe/Lana Del Rey
star
7.52
182 votes

#15 - Daniel Radcliffe/Lana Del Rey

Season 37 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/14/2012

Host Daniel Radcliffe; Lana Del Rey performs "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans". Sketches include Mitt Romney Cold Open, Ricky Gervais Promos, Target Lady, You Can Do Anything, Spin The Bottle, Harry Potter Epilogue, Weekend Update with guests Casey Anthony’s Dog and Kim Jong Un’s Best Friends, 2112, Mayor I, I & III, The Jay Pharoah Show, Exit Polling and Headz Up App.

Directors: Don Roy King
Ben Stiller/Foster the People
star
7.50
267 votes

#16 - Ben Stiller/Foster the People

Season 37 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/8/2011

Host Ben Stiller; Foster the People performs "Pumped Up Kicks" and "Houdini". Sketches include Mitt Romney-Chris Christie Cold Open, Lincoln Financial I, Fox and Friends: Hank Williams Jr., Lincoln Financial II, Digital Short: V-Necks, Weekend Update with guests Stefon, Zoolander and Nan Washington, Shanna: Halloween Party, Lincoln Financial III, Underground Festival: Columbus Day, Bruce Springsteen DVD Set and Tinyballs.

Directors: Don Roy King
Steve Buscemi/The Black Keys
star
7.46
203 votes

#17 - Steve Buscemi/The Black Keys

Season 37 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/3/2011

Host Steve Buscemi; The Black Keys perform "Lonely Boy" and "Gold on the Ceiling". Sketches include Obama In One Cold Open, Frozen Mexican Dinner, Miley Cyrus Show, SNL Digital Short: Batman, Dateline, Coach Bert, Weekend Update with guests Herman Cain and Drunk Uncle, Surprise Lady, Sex Ed Couples Therapy and Ornaments.

Directors: Don Roy King
Sofia Vergara/One Direction
star
7.41
159 votes

#18 - Sofia Vergara/One Direction

Season 37 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/7/2012

Host Sofia Vegara; One Direction performs "What Makes You Beautiful" and "One Thing". Sketches include Mitt Romney Campaign Cold Open, We’re Just Friends, Bein’ Quirky with Zooey Deschanel, Almost Pizza, News Team Promo, Gilly in Sex Ed, Weekend Update with guest Drunk Uncle, Manuel Ortiz, Watch What Happens Live, Pantene Commercial, Hunger Games Reporter and Bronx Beat.

Directors: Don Roy King
Lindsay Lohan/Jack White
star
7.35
178 votes

#19 - Lindsay Lohan/Jack White

Season 37 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/3/2012

Host Lindsay Lohan; Jack White performs "Love Interruption" and "Sixteen Saltines". Sketches include Shephard Smith-Mitt Romney Cold Open, Disney Housewives, Psychic Awards, Scared Straight, Digital Short: Afros, Weekend Update with guests James Carville and Snooki, Delinquent Girl Teen Gang, B108FM, House Sitting, Rude Buddha and ‘70s Album.

Directors: Don Roy King
Alec Baldwin/Radiohead
star
7.33
284 votes

#20 - Alec Baldwin/Radiohead

Season 37 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/24/2011

Host Alec Baldwin; Radiohead performs "Lotus Flower" and "Staircase". Sketches include GOP Debate Cold Open, Red Flag, All My Children Wrap Party, Satellite Delay, Weekend Update with guest Tony Bennett, Who’s On Top, Top Gun 25th Anniversary DVD, Child Psychologist and Dying Wish.

Directors: Don Roy King
Emma Stone/Coldplay
star
6.59
148 votes

#21 - Emma Stone/Coldplay

Season 37 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/12/2011

Host Emma Stone; Coldplay performs "Paradise" and "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall". Sketches include GOP Debate 3 Cold Open, Secret Word, Digital Short: Wish It Would Rain, Weekend Update with Garth and Kat, and The Devil on Penn State., Bridal Shower Gifts and Technology Hump.

Directors: Don Roy King
Charles Barkley/Kelly Clarkson
star
6.27
52 votes

#22 - Charles Barkley/Kelly Clarkson

Season 37 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/7/2012

Host Charles Barkley; Kelly Clarkson performs "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" and "Mr. Know It All". Sketches include New Mayan Calendar, Rick Santorum Cold Open, Chantix, The NBA on TNT, White People Problems, Joann’s Announcement, Charles Barkley App, Weekend Update with Michele Bachmann, Nicholas Fehn and Drunk Uncle, Adult Video Awards in Memoriam and Digital Short: Convoluted Jerry.

Directors: Don Roy King