The WORST episodes of Saturday Night Live

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

Each week, live from New York, a famous guest host appears in sketches and parodies alongside a company 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 comedy shows in history.

Last Updated: 7/11/2025Network: NBCStatus: Continuing
Brendan Gleeson / Willow
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0.00
0 votes

#1 - Brendan Gleeson / Willow

Season 48 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/8/2022

The actor Brendan Gleeson hosts the iconic late-night comedy show, with musical guest Willow.

Directors: Liz Patrick
Miles Teller / Kendrick Lamar
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0.00
0 votes

#2 - Miles Teller / Kendrick Lamar

Season 48 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/1/2022

Miles Teller hosts the season opener of the iconic late-night comedy show, joined by musical guest Kendrick Lamar.

Directors: Liz Patrick
Selena Gomez / Post Malone
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0.00
0 votes

#3 - Selena Gomez / Post Malone

Season 47 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/14/2022

Selena Gomez hosts Saturday Night Live on May 14th, 2022 with musical guest Post Malone.

Willem Dafoe / Katy Perry
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#4 - Willem Dafoe / Katy Perry

Season 47 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/29/2022

Sketches include: Tenant's Meeting, "Now I'm Up", Badminster Dog Show, Can't Get Hard, Beauty and the Masturbates, A Please Don't Destroy Video: Connor, Blowing Yourself, Jeremiah the Temp

Paul Rudd
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0.00
0 votes

#5 - Paul Rudd

Season 47 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/18/2021

Sketches include: Dick in a Box, An Evening with Pete Davidson, Santa & the Elves, The Global Warming Christmas Special, Weekend Update, The Christmas Socks, Steve Martin's Holiday Wish, Holiday Pageant, North Pole News Report, One Direction Concert Line, Now That's What I Call Christmas, Christmastime for the Jews

Jonathan Majors / Taylor Swift
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#6 - Jonathan Majors / Taylor Swift

Season 47 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/13/2021

Sketches include: Forgotten Monarchs: The March of the Suitors, Three Sad Virgins, The Audacity in Advertising Awards, Strange Kid Tales, Man Park, Weekend Update, An Evening with Blythe and Brick, Dog Bones-n-Melodies, Church Romance

Kim Kardashian West / Halsey
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0.00
0 votes

#7 - Kim Kardashian West / Halsey

Season 47 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/9/2021

Sketches include: Aladdin, Grown Ass Women in the Club, The Dream Guy, The Switch, The Lotteries, Weekend Update, The People's Kourt, Hard Seltzer, Skims

Scarlett Johansson / Niall Horan
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0.00
0 votes

#8 - Scarlett Johansson / Niall Horan

Season 45 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/14/2019

Sketches include: Santa Land, Macy's, Charlie the Security Guard, A Conway Marriage Story, Niall Horan, Weekend Update, Haunted Hot Tub. Hallmark Holiday Matchmaking Contest, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Choking, Innotech

Winona Ryder/Moby
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4.67
3 votes

#9 - Winona Ryder/Moby

Season 27 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/18/2002

Live From New York, It's...Maya Rudolph and (for the final time) Will Ferrell Sketches include ""Jimmy Carter In Cuba,"" ""Celebrity Jeopardy: Music Edition,"" ""Dueling Wedding Singers,"" ""Botox"", ""Bear Researchers,"" ""Girl Next Door: The Search For a Playboy Playmate,"" ""Jacuzzi Lovers II,"" ""Mango, Winona, and Moby Go Shoplifting,"" and ""Farewell To Will Ferrell."" Moby performs: ""We Are All Made Of Stars"" and ""South Side""

Bea Arthur/The Roches
star
5.25
4 votes

#10 - Bea Arthur/The Roches

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/17/1979

Sketches include ""Sex Change,"" ""The Backers' Audition,"" and ""First, He Cries.""

Directors: Dave Wilson
Tom Green/David Gray
star
5.50
2 votes

#11 - Tom Green/David Gray

Season 26 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/18/2000

Sketches include ""Decision 2000,"" ""Bald Eagles,"" ""Rap Street,"" ""Lorne and Tom in a Tub,"" ""Hardball,"" ""Dog Show,"" ""Oprah,"" ""Story Tellers,"" ""TV Funhouse: Sex and the Country"", ""Rock Around the Clock,"" and ""Tom and Drew's Wedding."" The NBC rerun replaces the ""Sex and the Country"" TV Funhouse with the one from the Charlize Theron episode where Mr. T lands a job doing a tampon commercial.

Linda Hamilton/Mariah Carey
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5.50
2 votes

#12 - Linda Hamilton/Mariah Carey

Season 17 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/16/1991

Sketches include ""Weekend Update Special Report,"" ""Toonces, the Cat Who Can Drive a Car,"" ""It's Pat,"" ""Annoying Double Date,"" and ""The Chris Farley Show.""

Directors: Dave Wilson
Watch Now:Apple TV
Fred Savage/Technotronic
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5.50
2 votes

#13 - Fred Savage/Technotronic

Season 15 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/24/1990

Sketches include ""Church Chat,"" ""Left Alone with a Gun,"" ""The Pat Stevens Show,"" ""Imaginary Friend,"" and ""Hooked on Sushi"" (film). Technotronic performed ""Pump Up The Jam.""

Directors: Dave Wilson
John Larroquette/Timbuk 3
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5.50
2 votes

#14 - John Larroquette/Timbuk 3

Season 12 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/18/1987

Live from New York, it's... Dana Carvey! Sketches include "Pagan Easter Special," "Sold-Out Gold," "Collecting Evidence," "Heaven Has The Answers," "Instant Coffee," "ICM Meeting," and "Grab Bag Store." Timbuk 3 performs "Just Another Movie" and "Hairstyles & Attitudes."

Directors: Paul Miller
John Lithgow/Anita Baker
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5.50
2 votes

#15 - John Lithgow/Anita Baker

Season 12 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/11/1987

Live from New York, it's... John Lithgow! Sketches include "Embassy Spies," "Laramie Vice," "The Pat Stevens Show," "World's Meanest Methodist Minister," "Master Thespian," "Discover," "Cab Ride," and "The Fighter." Anita Baker performs "Sweet Love" and "Same Ole Love."

Directors: Paul Miller
Ron Reagan/The Nelsons
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5.50
2 votes

#16 - Ron Reagan/The Nelsons

Season 11 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/8/1986

Live From New York, it's...Ronald Reagon, Jr. Sketches include: White House Risky Business, You're Going To Hell: A Message From The Almighty (repeat from the Madonna/Simple Minds episode), The Pat Stevens Show, Dalkon Shield Trout Lure, Back To The Future, Penn And Teller Guest Performance, Limits of the Imagination, Shakespeare In The Slums With Flotilda Williams, and The Woody Allen Fan The Nelsons performs: Walk Away and Do You Know What I Mean

Directors: Dave Wilson
Malcolm McDowell/Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
star
5.56
9 votes

#17 - Malcolm McDowell/Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band

Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/22/1980

Live from New York, it's...Gilbert Gottfried! Sketches include: Sitting Up Straight In The Electric Chair, Mutually Omaha's Wild Kingdom: In Search of the Negro Republican, Tobacco Growers of America, Serf City, Amy Carter Gets Adopted To The Reagans, Alex DeLarge For The American Milk Association, SNL Film: Showdown, Gothic Novel Shop, The 100 Years War, The Leather Weather Report, Commie Hunting, The Rocket Report, Jack The Stripper, SNL Film: Someone Is Hiding In My Apartment, and The Wine Cellar With Caroline Parker Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band perform: ""Hothead"" and ""Ashtray Heart""

Directors: Dave Wilson
Watch Now:Apple TV
Donald Trump/Toots and the Maytals with Bootsy Collins and The Roots
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5.60
5 votes

#18 - Donald Trump/Toots and the Maytals with Bootsy Collins and The Roots

Season 29 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/3/2004

Live from New York, it's...Donald Trump Sketches include 'The SNL Apprentice,' 'Fear Factor Junior,' 'Live with Regis and Kelly,' 'The VIP Seats,' 'Donald Trump's House of Wings,' 'Weekend Trump-Date,' 'Prince and the Pauper '04,' 'Fathers and Sons,' '9/11 Hearings,' and 'Donald's Band Rehearsal.' Toots and the Maytals perform 'Love Gonna Walk Out on Me' (with Ben Harper and Jack Johnson) and 'Funky Kingston' (with Bootsy Collins and The Roots).

Cicely Tyson/Talking Heads
star
5.63
8 votes

#19 - Cicely Tyson/Talking Heads

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/10/1979

Sketches include "Cicely Confronts Garrett Monologue," "Nick Rails, the Train Lounge Singer," and "The Widettes."

Directors: Dave Wilson
Watch Now:Apple TV
Rosario Dawson/Fleet Foxes
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5.67
36 votes

#20 - Rosario Dawson/Fleet Foxes

Season 34 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/17/2009

Actress Rosario Dawson hosts; Fleet Foxes perform "Mykonos" and "Blue Ridge Mountains." Sketches include "Vice President Dick Cheney: The Final Interview," "North American Savings Commercial," "Da Learnin' Train," "Guantánamo Bay Liquidation Sale," "Aladdin and Jasmine's Anniversary," "Digital Short: Singing Narrator," "Gilly," "Weekend Update" with guests Bernard Madoff, Judy Grimes, and Larry the Goose, "La Policia Mexicana," "The View," and "Good Excuse!"

Louise Lasser/Preservation Hall Jazz Band
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5.67
12 votes

#21 - Louise Lasser/Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 7/24/1976

Live from New York, It's...Chevy Chase Sketches include--Belushi thinks Chevy has a big head, Louise Lasser locks herself dressing room, General "V.D" Amin, Sven and Inger, John Belushi tries to sell his clothes, Ode to Television, Louise apologizes to her dog, Jimmy Carter talks about the campagin.

Directors: Dave Wilson
James Van Der Beek/Everlast
star
5.75
4 votes

#22 - James Van Der Beek/Everlast

Season 24 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/16/1999

Sketches include ""Clinton and Flynt,"" ""Spelling Bee Finals,"" ""7 Degrees Celsius,"" ""Dog Show,"" ""Harry Connick Jr.,"" ""The War Abroad and at Home,"" ""Frankenstein,"" and ""Maria and Anthony.""

Watch Now:Apple TV
Michael Palin/James Taylor
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5.75
8 votes

#23 - Michael Palin/James Taylor

Season 4 - Episode 18 - Aired 5/12/1979

Sketches include "Mother's Day Monologue," "Miles Cowperthwaite, Part Two: I Am Nailed to the Hull," and "Black-Market Gasoline." Weekend Update includes "Margaret Thathcer Interview."

Watch Now:Apple TV
Buck Henry/The Grateful Dead
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5.75
8 votes

#24 - Buck Henry/The Grateful Dead

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/11/1978

Sketches include--"Concession Speech,", "Rovco Chinch Canch" commercial parody, "Samurai Optometrist," "Uncle Roy #1," "The Death Of Rasputin," "Nick Sands, the Lounge Singer," More Flu To Worry About, and "St. Mickey's Knights of Columbus."

Directors: Dave Wilson
Watch Now:Apple TV
Lisa Kudrow/Sheryl Crow
star
5.83
6 votes

#25 - Lisa Kudrow/Sheryl Crow

Season 22 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/5/1996

Sketches include ""Bob Dole,"" ""Suel Forrester,"" Single and Loving It,"" ""The Randolph Hotel,"" ""Women's Poetry Night,"" and ""Gene the Ex-Convict.""

Watch Now:Apple TV