"Saturday Night Live," NBC's Emmy Award-winning late-night comedy showcase, brings yet another year of laughs, surprises and great performances. Since its inception in 1975, "SNL" has launched the careers of many of the brightest comedy performers of their generation. As The New York Times noted on the occasion of the show's Emmy-winning 25th Anniversary special in 1999, "in defiance of both time and show business convention, 'SNL' is still the most pervasive influence on the art of comedy in contemporary culture." At the close of the century, "Saturday Night Live" placed seventh on Entertainment Weekly's list of the Top 100 Entertainers of the past fifty years.
| Season | From | To | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Seasons | |||
| Specials | January 1975 | December 2022 | 256 |
| Season 1 | October 1975 | July 1976 | 24 |
| Season 2 | September 1976 | May 1977 | 22 |
| Season 3 | September 1977 | May 1978 | 20 |
| Season 4 | October 1978 | May 1979 | 20 |
| Season 5 | October 1979 | May 1980 | 20 |
| Season 6 | November 1980 | April 1981 | 13 |
| Season 7 | October 1981 | May 1982 | 20 |
| Season 8 | September 1982 | May 1983 | 20 |
| Season 9 | October 1983 | May 1984 | 19 |
| Season 10 | October 1984 | April 1985 | 17 |
| Season 11 | November 1985 | May 1986 | 18 |
| Season 12 | October 1986 | May 1987 | 20 |
| Season 13 | October 1987 | February 1988 | 13 |
| Season 14 | October 1988 | May 1989 | 20 |
| Season 15 | September 1989 | May 1990 | 20 |
| Season 16 | September 1990 | May 1991 | 20 |
| Season 17 | September 1991 | May 1992 | 20 |
| Season 18 | September 1992 | May 1993 | 20 |
| Season 19 | September 1993 | May 1994 | 20 |
| Season 20 | September 1994 | May 1995 | 20 |
| Season 21 | September 1995 | May 1996 | 20 |
| Season 22 | September 1996 | May 1997 | 20 |
| Season 23 | September 1997 | May 1998 | 20 |
| Season 24 | September 1998 | May 1999 | 19 |
| Season 25 | October 1999 | May 2000 | 20 |
| Season 26 | October 2000 | May 2001 | 20 |
| Season 27 | September 2001 | May 2002 | 20 |
| Season 28 | October 2002 | May 2003 | 20 |
| Season 29 | October 2003 | May 2004 | 20 |
| Season 30 | October 2004 | May 2005 | 20 |
| Season 31 | October 2005 | May 2006 | 19 |
| Season 32 | September 2006 | May 2007 | 20 |
| Season 33 | September 2007 | May 2008 | 12 |
| Season 34 | September 2008 | May 2009 | 22 |
| Season 35 | September 2009 | May 2010 | 22 |
| Season 36 | September 2010 | May 2011 | 22 |
| Season 37 | September 2011 | May 2012 | 22 |
| Season 38 | September 2012 | May 2013 | 21 |
| Season 39 | September 2013 | May 2014 | 21 |
| Season 40 | September 2014 | May 2015 | 21 |
| Season 41 | October 2015 | May 2016 | 21 |
| Season 42 | October 2016 | May 2017 | 21 |
| Season 43 | September 2017 | May 2018 | 21 |
| Season 44 | September 2018 | May 2019 | 21 |
| Season 45 | September 2019 | May 2020 | 18 |
| Season 46 | October 2020 | May 2021 | 20 |
| Season 47 | October 2021 | May 2022 | 21 |
| Season 48 | October 2022 | April 2023 | 18 |
| Season 49 | October 2023 | 1 | |
| Unassigned Episodes | 65 |
| Season | From | To | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Seasons | |||
| Specials | 0 | ||
| Season 2 | 0 | ||
| Unassigned Episodes | 1270 |
| Season | From | To | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | February 2008 | April 2015 | 21 |
| Unassigned Episodes | 1249 |
| Name | Number of Episodes | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Wilson | 335 | 10/11/1975 - 05/22/2004 | |
| Beth McCarthy-Miller | 203 | 10/28/1991 - 05/20/2006 | |
| Don Roy King | 82 | 09/30/2006 - 09/29/2018 | |
| Paul Miller | 52 | 10/11/1986 - 12/17/2002 | |
| Akiva Schaffer | 17 | 12/17/2005 - 05/12/2012 | |
| Jorma Taccone | 14 | 04/04/2009 - 03/03/2012 | |
| Liz Patrick | 10 | 10/01/2022 - 02/04/2023 | |
| Lorne Michaels | 6 | 02/20/1977 | |
| James Signorelli | 3 | 09/26/1998 - 12/17/2002 | |
| Michael Mancini | 2 | 01/21/2023 - 02/04/2023 | |
| Kenneth Bowser | 2 | 05/06/2007 | |
| Akiva & Jorma | 1 | 05/09/2009 | |
| Andy Breckman | 1 | 08/22/1998 | |
| Gary Weis | 1 | 05/09/1978 |
| Name | Number of Episodes | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Maxtone-Graham | 26 | 04/18/1992 - 05/13/1995 | |
| Tina Fey | 16 | 09/25/1999 - 12/17/2002 | |
| Jimmy Fallon | 10 | 12/17/2002 | |
| Steve Higgins | 6 | 12/17/2002 | |
| James Downey | 5 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Al Franken | 4 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Robert Smigel | 3 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Tom Davis | 3 | 09/25/1999 | |
| Laura Kightlinger | 2 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Don Novello | 2 | 05/09/1978 | |
| Tim Herlihy | 2 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Anne Beatts | 1 | 09/25/1999 | |
| Steve Koren | 1 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Brian Kelley | 1 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Matt Murray | 1 | 12/17/2002 | |
| Matt Piedmont | 1 | 09/04/2004 | |
| Steve Lookner | 1 | 05/13/1995 | |
| David Mandel | 1 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Norm Hiscock | 1 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Ross Abrash | 1 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Herbert Sargent | 1 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Bob Odenkirk | 1 | 05/13/1995 | |
| Michael Shoemaker | 1 | 12/17/2002 |
| Name | Number of Episodes | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Martin | 20 | 12/10/2022 | |
| Maya Rudolph | 13 | 03/27/2021 | |
| Martin Short | 9 | 12/10/2022 | |
| Will Ferrell | 8 | 11/23/2019 | |
| Kristen Wiig | 7 | 12/19/2020 | |
| Woody Harrelson | 7 | 09/28/2019 - 02/25/2023 | |
| Paul Rudd | 7 | 12/18/2021 | |
| Chris Rock | 7 | 10/03/2020 | |
| John Mulaney | 5 | 10/31/2020 - 02/26/2022 | |
| Jake Gyllenhaal | 4 | 04/09/2022 | |
| Jennifer Lopez | 4 | 12/07/2019 | |
| Amy Schumer | 4 | 10/10/2015 - 11/05/2022 | |
| Jason Sudeikis | 3 | 10/23/2021 | |
| Dave Chappelle | 3 | 11/07/2020 - 11/12/2022 | |
| Selena Gomez | 3 | 05/14/2022 | |
| Adele | 3 | 10/24/2020 | |
| Will Forte | 3 | 01/22/2022 | |
| Willem Dafoe | 3 | 01/29/2022 | |
| Molly Shannon | 3 | 04/08/2023 | |
| Pete Davidson | 2 | 10/07/2023 | |
| Jerrod Carmichael | 2 | 04/02/2022 | |
| Jason Bateman | 2 | 12/05/2020 | |
| Timothée Chalamet | 2 | 12/12/2020 | |
| Natasha Lyonne | 2 | 05/21/2022 | |
| Kieran Culkin | 2 | 11/06/2021 | |
| Kristen Stewart | 2 | 11/02/2019 | |
| Oscar Isaac | 2 | 03/05/2022 | |
| Benedict Cumberbatch | 2 | 05/07/2022 | |
| Regé-Jean Page | 1 | 02/20/2021 | |
| Pedro Pascal | 1 | 02/04/2023 | |
| Carey Mulligan | 1 | 04/10/2021 | |
| Tom Brady | 1 | 04/16/2005 | |
| Jenna Ortega | 1 | 03/11/2023 | |
| Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 1 | 10/05/2019 | |
| Zoë Kravitz | 1 | 03/12/2022 | |
| Bill Burr | 1 | 10/10/2020 | |
| Elon Musk | 1 | 05/08/2021 | |
| Michael B. Jordan | 1 | 01/28/2023 | |
| Anya Taylor-Joy | 1 | 05/22/2021 | |
| Jonathan Majors | 1 | 11/13/2021 | |
| Dan Levy | 1 | 02/06/2021 | |
| Aubrey Plaza | 1 | 01/21/2023 | |
| Miles Teller | 1 | 10/01/2022 | |
| Kim Kardashian West | 1 | 10/09/2021 | |
| John Krasinski | 1 | 01/30/2021 | |
| David Harbour | 1 | 10/12/2019 | |
| Simu Liu | 1 | 11/20/2021 | |
| Owen Wilson | 1 | 10/02/2021 | |
| Austin Butler | 1 | 12/17/2022 | |
| Regina King | 1 | 02/13/2021 | |
| Ariana DeBose | 1 | 01/15/2022 | |
| Brendan Gleeson | 1 | 10/08/2022 | |
| Quinta Brunson | 1 | 04/01/2023 | |
| Issa Rae | 1 | 10/17/2020 | |
| Keke Palmer | 1 | 12/03/2022 | |
| Keegan-Michael Key | 1 | 05/15/2021 | |
| Travis Kelce | 1 | 03/04/2023 | |
| Ana de Armas | 1 | 04/15/2023 | |
| Daniel Kaluuya | 1 | 04/03/2021 | |
| Rami Malek | 1 | 10/16/2021 |
| Name | Number of Episodes | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foo Fighters | 8 | 11/07/2020 | |
| Miley Cyrus | 8 | 05/08/2021 | |
| Adam Levine | 7 | 03/27/2021 | |
| Arcade Fire | 6 | 05/07/2022 | |
| Chance the Rapper | 6 | 10/26/2019 - 10/17/2020 | |
| Katy Perry | 5 | 01/29/2022 | |
| Taylor Swift | 5 | 10/05/2019 - 11/13/2021 | |
| The Strokes | 4 | 10/31/2020 | |
| Justin Bieber | 4 | 10/17/2020 | |
| Harry Styles | 4 | 11/16/2019 | |
| Megan Thee Stallion | 4 | 10/26/2019 - 10/15/2022 | |
| Lizzo | 4 | 04/16/2022 - 12/17/2022 | |
| Halsey | 4 | 10/09/2021 | |
| Bruce Springsteen | 4 | 12/12/2020 | |
| Jack White | 4 | 04/14/2018 - 02/25/2023 | |
| Nick Jonas | 4 | 02/27/2021 | |
| Charli XCX | 3 | 03/05/2022 | |
| Billie Eilish | 3 | 09/28/2019 - 12/11/2021 | |
| Kendrick Lamar | 3 | 10/01/2022 | |
| Jack Harlow | 3 | 03/27/2021 - 10/29/2022 | |
| Ed Sheeran | 3 | 11/06/2021 | |
| Sam Smith | 3 | 01/21/2023 | |
| LCD Soundsystem | 2 | 02/26/2022 | |
| SZA | 2 | 12/03/2022 | |
| Dua Lipa | 2 | 12/19/2020 | |
| St. Vincent | 2 | 04/03/2021 | |
| Rosaliá | 2 | 02/20/2021 - 03/12/2022 | |
| Gunna | 2 | 10/16/2021 - 04/02/2022 | |
| Future | 2 | 04/02/2022 | |
| Jonas Brothers | 2 | 04/08/2023 | |
| Willow Smith | 2 | 04/09/2022 - 10/08/2022 | |
| FINNEAS | 2 | 09/28/2019 - 12/11/2021 | |
| Young Thug | 2 | 10/03/2020 - 10/16/2021 | |
| Fleet Foxes | 2 | 05/14/2022 | |
| Coldplay | 2 | 11/02/2019 - 02/04/2023 | |
| Brandi Carlile | 2 | 10/23/2021 - 12/10/2022 | |
| Camila Cabello | 2 | 10/12/2019 - 04/09/2022 | |
| Kacey Musgraves | 2 | 05/12/2018 - 10/02/2021 | |
| The 1975 | 2 | 03/11/2023 | |
| Chloe Flower | 1 | 01/28/2023 | |
| Lil Baby | 1 | 01/28/2023 | |
| Bad Bunny | 1 | 02/20/2021 | |
| j-hope | 1 | 04/13/2019 | |
| Machine Gun Kelly | 1 | 01/30/2021 | |
| Kim Petras | 1 | 01/21/2023 | |
| Sampha | 1 | 10/01/2022 | |
| Travis Barker | 1 | 10/16/2021 | |
| King Princess | 1 | 11/23/2019 | |
| Nate Ruess | 1 | 10/16/2021 | |
| Kelsea Ballerini | 1 | 03/04/2023 | |
| Jungkook | 1 | 04/13/2019 | |
| Lucius | 1 | 12/10/2022 | |
| Luna Li | 1 | 05/21/2022 | |
| DaBaby | 1 | 12/07/2019 | |
| Jacob Collier | 1 | 02/04/2023 | |
| Karol G | 1 | 04/15/2023 | |
| MC Hammer | 1 | 12/07/1991 | |
| Phoebe Bridgers | 1 | 02/06/2021 | |
| SUGA | 1 | 04/13/2019 | |
| The Kid LAROI | 1 | 05/08/2021 | |
| Diana Gordon | 1 | 04/01/2023 | |
| Lil Uzi Vert | 1 | 10/07/2023 | |
| V | 1 | 04/13/2019 | |
| Post Malone | 1 | 05/14/2022 | |
| Jeff Bhasker | 1 | 10/16/2021 | |
| Jon Bellion | 1 | 04/08/2023 | |
| Jabbawockeez | 1 | 12/07/2019 | |
| Saweetie | 1 | 11/20/2021 | |
| Jin | 1 | 04/13/2019 | |
| Lil Nas X | 1 | 05/22/2021 | |
| Kirk Franklin | 1 | 04/08/2023 | |
| Japanese Breakfast | 1 | 05/21/2022 | |
| Lil Yachty | 1 | 04/01/2023 | |
| Jason Max Ferdinand Singers | 1 | 02/04/2023 | |
| BTS | 1 | 04/13/2019 | |
| Steve Lacy | 1 | 11/05/2022 | |
| Black Star | 1 | 11/12/2022 | |
| Morgan Wallen | 1 | 12/05/2020 | |
| H.E.R. | 1 | 10/24/2020 | |
| Roddy Ricch | 1 | 05/14/2022 | |
| Jimin | 1 | 04/13/2019 | |
| Kid Cudi | 1 | 04/10/2021 | |
| Benny Blanco | 1 | 10/17/2020 | |
| Alesso | 1 | 01/29/2022 | |
| Olivia Rodrigo | 1 | 05/15/2021 | |
| Nathaniel Rateliff | 1 | 02/13/2021 | |
| E-Street Band | 1 | 12/12/2020 | |
| Bleachers | 1 | 01/15/2022 | |
| RM | 1 | 04/13/2019 | |
| Måneskin | 1 | 01/22/2022 | |
| Madlib | 1 | 11/12/2022 |
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From time-capsule sitcoms to cutting-edge Peak-TV dramas — the definitive ranking of the game-changing small-screen classics
A ranking of the most game-changing, side-splitting, tear-jerking, mind-blowing, world-building, genre-busting programs in television history, from the medium’s inception in the early 20th century through the ever-metastasizing era of Peak TV BY ALAN SEPINWALL
So many golden ages, so much brilliance from which to choose. In culling from the "60 Greatest" lists we've compiled during our 60th-anniversary year, we shook things up, blending drama, comedy and other genres to salute the shows with the biggest cultural impact and most enduring influence. What will the next 60 years bring? We can't wait to find out.
Mike Wallace and a vampire slayer? Letterman and Oprah? Andy Griffith and the Sopranos? On one list? What were we thinking? Simply put, the best of the best, from Day 1 to last night: quality, innovation and the ability to stay in our lives year after year after year. A touch of sentiment? Sure, but nostalgia alone couldn’t make the cut (sorry, Beav). And TV-movies, miniseries and specials will have to wait. These are the series we watched regularly — and will watch again. And again.
From a pioneering variety show from the black-and-white days to two faves on now -- see our No. 1. To see EW's picks of the top 100 all-time greatest TV shows
What's the best TV show of all time? Who knows? This poll is strictly about favorite shows, the programs people in Hollywood hold nearest to their hearts — that remind them of better times or speak to their inner child or inspire their creativity or just help them unwind after a crappy day at the studio — even if one or two of the programs listed here aren't exactly masterpieces of the medium.
The “TV 101” list honors classic, trailblazing series and miniseries, as well as current and critically acclaimed programs, from comedies and dramas to variety/talk and children’s programming. At their core, all of these wonderful series began with the words of the writers who created them and were sustained by the writers who joined their staffs or worked on individual episodes. “This list is not only a tribute to great TV, it is a dedication to all writers who devote their hearts and minds to advancing their craft.
We are what we watch-and over the last half century, we've watched some pretty fabulous TV. From Mary to Jerry, from Tonight to Today, from the sublime (Prime Suspect) to the ridiculous (Gilligan's Island), EW recalls everything you need to know about 100 shows that tell us who we are.
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