Saturday Night Live poster

TV series

Saturday Night Live

1975TV-1452 seasons6.9 / 10

Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!

A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.

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Where to watch in United States

Checked Sep 1, 2026

Saturday Night Live is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand, Peacock, Peacock Premium, Prime Video, Spectrum On Demand, YouTube TV, and Fubo in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.

Season 13 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

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Episode 1

Steve Martin/Sting

Oct 17, 19871h 7m8.5 / 10

Sketches include ""Ronald Reagan and George Bush,"" ""Gary Hart Ad,"" ""Common Knowledge,"" ""NFL Today,"" ""Slide Whistle Sound Effects,"" ""Bullets Aren't Cheap,"" ""Permission to Speak Freely,"" ""Adventures in the Lost Realm,"" and ""Pumping Up With Hans and Franz"".

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Steve Martin, Sting, Tom Davis, Al Franken, Bruce Babbitt

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 2

Sean Penn/L.L. Cool J., Michael Penn & the Pull

Oct 24, 19871h 7m8.5 / 10

Live from New York, it's... Sean Penn! Sketches include "Fatal Attraction 2," "Wall Street Week," "Church Chat," "Pitman & Bullock," "The Teeny Cafe," "Keister Family Talk," "Discover," "The Spimozo Brothers," and "Cat Dentist" (film). LL Cool J performs "Go Cut Creator Go." Michael Penn and The Pull performs "This & That."

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Sean Penn, Michael Penn, LL Cool J, Tom Davis, Christine Zander

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 3

Dabney Coleman/The Cars

Oct 31, 19871h 7m

Live from New York, it's... Dana Carvey! Sketches include "Lifestyles of the Rich, Famous, and Scary," "Nature's Broom," "The Winning Spirit," "Don't Go Down To The Basement," "Scary Campfire Stories," "Marriage Counselor," "Count Dracula, Self-Taught Auto Mechanic," "The Pat Stevens Show," "New High School Mascot," and "Lambert & Fitch Securites." The Cars performs "Strap Me In" and "Double Trouble."

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Dabney Coleman, Mark McKinney, Cassandra Peterson, Al Franken

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 4

Robert Mitchum/Simply Red

Nov 14, 19871h 7m

Episode credits

Directed by Paul Miller, James SignorelliWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Robert Mitchum, Marc Shaiman, Tom Davis, Jane Greer, Bentley Mitchum

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Episode 5

Candice Bergen/Cher

Nov 21, 19871h 7m

Sketches include ""George Bush,"" ""Pumping Up with Hans & Franz,"" ""Anne Boleyn,"" ""The First Thanksgiving,"" and ""Having Sex by an Open Window."" ""PITMAN and BULLOCK: Put the Power of the PIT BULL to Work for You"".

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Candice Bergen, Cher, Paul Shaffer, Sydney Barrows, Tom Davis, Pat Moya

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 6

Danny DeVito/Bryan Ferry

Dec 5, 19871h 7m

ive from New York, it's... Danny Devito! Sketches include: "Gorbachev-Reagan," "Siskel & Ebert," "Church Chat," "Eddie Spimozo's Jungle Room," "White Trash Appraiser," "Ann Landers' Playhouse," and "Reminiscing with Doorman." Bryan Ferry performs "The Right Stuff" and "Kiss and Tell."

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, Brian McConnachie, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Cheryl Hardwick, Danny DeVito, Bryan Ferry, Joe Forristal, Christine Zander

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 7

Angie Dickinson/Buster Poindexter & David Gilmour

Dec 12, 19871h 7m

Live From New York, it's...Kevin Nealon Sketches include: Amateur Translator, Docu-Fresh, Who Can Land The Plane?, Donahue, Wedgie Fever, Traumatic Memories Party, Police Women, The Assimilated Jew's Hannukah, and Drunk Man Buster Poindexter performs: ""Hot, Hot, Hot"" David Gilmour performs: ""Ah, Robertson, It's You""

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars David Gilmour, Angie Dickinson, David Johansen, Al Franken, Christine Zander

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 8

Paul Simon/Linda Ronstadt & the Mariachi Vargas

Dec 19, 19871h 7m

Live From New York, it's...Jan Hooks Sketches include: Jesus's Surprise Party, Gary Hart Ad, Pumping Up With Hans and Franz, Christmas on a Desert Island, Master Thespian, The Sweeney Sisters, Subway Beggar, Succinctly Speaking, Seasons Greetings From Tonto, Frankenstein, and Tarzan, Educated Anita, and A Message To Future Viewers Linda Ronstadt and the Mariachi Vargas perform: ""Los Laureles, La Cigarra"" and ""Under African Skies""

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Marc Shaiman, Tom Davis, Paul Simon

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 9

Robin Williams/James Taylor

Jan 23, 19881h 7m

Sketches include ""Pumping Up with Hans and Franz,"" ""Compulsion,"" ""Birthing Video,"" ""Cable ACE Awards,"" ""Hard to Say I Love You,"" ""Discover,"" and ""Robin's 60th Birthday.""

Episode credits

Directed by Paul Miller, Matthew Meshekoff, James SignorelliWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars James Taylor, Robin Williams, Al Franken, Lisa Ruffin, Don Grolnick, Leland Sklar

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 10

Carl Weathers/Robbie Robertson

Jan 30, 19881h 7m

Sketches include ""Bush-Whacked,"" ""The NFL Today,"" ""Handi-Off,"" ""Democratic Debate '88,"" ""Helen and Cheri,"" ""TV Actress,"" ""Master Thespian,"" and ""The Garden"" (film). Robbie Robertson performed ""Testimony"" and ""Somewhere Down the Crazy River.""

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Carl Weathers, Robbie Robertson, Tom Davis, Al Franken

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 11

Justine Bateman/Terrance Trent D'Arby

Feb 13, 19881h 7m

""53rd. Debate of the 1988 Republican Presidential Candidates"", ""Learning to Feel with Denise Venetti, Ph.D."", ""Family Ties: If These Old Walls Could Talk (Flashback-Flashback Episode)"", ""Blocked songwriter Derek Stevens loses his Muse"", ""An older man, the bimbo girlfriend Linda and his Judgemental Friends"".

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Justine Bateman, Sananda Maitreya, Al Franken, Dan Aykroyd, Tom Davis

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 12

Tom Hanks/Randy Travis

Feb 20, 19881h 7m9.0 / 10

""A male figure skater's flawed perfomance in tight pants"", ""The Pat Stevens Show with Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Dole"", ""The Bean Cafe: We only serve beans"", ""On 49th and First: Two sad guys want to score with the ladies"", ""This is a stick up!, yelled the Psychotic Vietnam Vet with great acting skills"", ""Can't come up with an ending for a bad sketch"", ""Casey Kasem sings The Beatles"", ""Compulsion by Calveen Kleen: The World's Most Indulgent Disinfectant"", ""A Pawnshop That Pays Full Sentimental Value"".

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Tom Hanks, Randy Travis, Mark McKinney

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode 13

Judge Reinhold/10,000 Maniacs

Feb 27, 19881h 7mfinale

Sketches include ""Pumping Up With Hans & Franz,"" ""Church Chat,"" ""Friendly Dictator,"" and ""Big Bird Pirates.""

Episode credits

Directed by Paul MillerWritten by Robert Smigel, Tom Davis, Lorne Michaels, Herbert Sargent, Al Franken, Rosie Shuster, Jack Handey, Jim Downey, A. Whitney Brown, George Meyer, Phil Hartman, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Greg Daniels, Conan O'Brien, Bob OdenkirkGuest stars Judge Reinhold, Tom Davis, Al Franken, Christine Zander

Where to watch Saturday Night Live

Episode information updated Aug 1, 2026

More about Saturday Night Live

Cast

Michael CheSelf - Various Characters

Kenan ThompsonSelf - Various Characters

Heidi GardnerSelf - Various Characters

Mikey DaySelf - Cameo (uncredited)

Cecily StrongSelf

Kyle MooneySelf - Cameo (uncredited)

Beck BennettSelf

Bobby MoynihanSelf - Cameo (uncredited)

Credits

Created by: Dick Ebersol, Lorne Michaels

Production details

Status: Returning Series
Series type: Scripted
Episodes: 1,018
Original language: English

Networks & production

NBCUnited States
Broadway VideoUnited States
NBC StudiosUnited States
Universal TelevisionUnited States
SNL StudiosUnited States

Themes

late-night showlivelive studio audiencesketch comedyskittalk show

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