Episode guide
Saturday Night Live: Season 34
22 episodes · premiered Sep 13, 2008
The thirty-fourth season of the variety series Saturday Night Live began airing in 2008 and concluded in 2009 on NBC. This season of Saturday Night Live consisted of 22 episodes, in an attempt to compensate for episodes lost during the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. This made it the longest season since the show's second season. The season began on September 13, 2008 on NBC, with Olympic swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps as host and Tina Fey appearing as Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, alongside Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton, and rapper Lil Wayne as the musical guest. The show scored its highest-rated premiere since September 2001 and is the second most-watched SNL ever. The season premiere date of September 13 was earlier than the premiere date for previous seasons, which typically have started during the final weekend of September or in early October. However, a month later, the show drew its highest ratings in over 14 years when the real Sarah Palin appeared. SNL had 17 million viewers during its first half-hour. Before the start of the season the cast remained mostly unchanged except for the addition of Bobby Moynihan. Moynihan came to SNL as a performer with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater; in season 33, Moynihan and Wilson were among the group of Upright Citizens Brigade performers SNL auditioned mid-season while the show was looking for a new cast member to join after the writers' strike in early 2008. Moynihan did not make the cut in his season 33 audition, but instead ended up being invited back for another audition shortly before this season started. Wilson remained a featured player.
- Episode 1: Michael Phelps/Lil Wayne Sep 13, 2008 · 1h 7m Live from New York, it's... Tina Fey and Amy Poehler! Sketches include "A Non-Partisan Message from Governor Palin and Senator Clinton," "Quiz Bowl," "Jar Glove," "Swim Team Pep Talk,"…
- Episode 2: James Franco/Kings of Leon Sep 20, 2008 · 1h 7m Live from New York, it's... Darrell Hammond! Sketches include "McCain Voiceovers," "The Cougar Den," "Agent 420," "Simpson Jury Selection," "Murray Hill" (Digital Short), "The Looker,"…
- Episode 3: Anna Faris/Duffy Sep 27, 2008 · 1h 7m Live from New York, it's... Tina Fey! Sketches include "Sarah Palin Interview," "New Friends," "The First Presidential Debate," "Rowboat Date," "Scores," "Deep House Dish," "Googie Rene's…
- Episode 4: Anne Hathaway/The Killers Oct 4, 2008 · 1h 7m Sketches include "The Vice Presidential Debate," "The Lawrence Welk Show," "The Wall Street Bailout," "Nightclub Flirting," "Extreme Activities Competition" (Digital Short), "Mary…
- Episode 5: Josh Brolin/Adele Oct 18, 2008 · 1h 7m Live from New York, it's... Gov. Sarah Palin! Sketches include "Palin on Palin," "MacGruber" (three parts), "Sue and the Engagement," "The Suze Orman Show," "Mark and Andy Backstage," "I'm…
- Episode 6: Jon Hamm/Coldplay Oct 25, 2008 · 1h 7m Jon Hamm/Coldplay is the sixth episode of the thirty-fourth season of Saturday Night Live. It originally aired on October 25, 2008.
- Episode 7: Ben Affleck/David Cook Nov 1, 2008 · 1h 7m Ben Affleck Hosts, special guest John McCain, and your musical guest is Dave Cook.
- Episode 8: Paul Rudd/Beyonce Nov 15, 2008 · 1h 7m Live from New York, it's... Jason Sudeikis! Sketches include "Vice President-elect Joe Biden," "Sproingo," "Kissing Family," "Scared Straight," "Everyone's a Critic" (Digital Short), "Tom…
- Episode 9: Tim McGraw/Ludacris/T-Pain Nov 22, 2008 · 1h 7m Live from New York, it's... Fred Armisen! Sketches include "The Big Three Automakers," "Clear Rite," "Dateline NBC," "Turkey Chase," "Live Another Death," "Blizzard Man," "Jeff…
- Episode 10: John Malkovich/T.I. Dec 6, 2008 · 1h 7m Live from New York, it's... Darrell Hammond and Amy Poehler! Sketches include "Secretary Clinton," "Gas Right," "Sexy Shannon," "Obama Keeps It Cool" (film), "La Rivista Della…
- Episode 11: Hugh Laurie/Kanye West Dec 13, 2008 · 1h 7m Live from New York, it's... Jason Sudeikis! Sketches include "Blagojevich Testimony," "Bronx Beat," "Sarcastic Christmas Dinner," "Culhane Wedding Toasts," "Magical Lamps," "Cat Christmas…
- Episode 12: Neil Patrick Harris/Taylor Swift Jan 10, 2009 · 1h 7m Actor Neil Patrick Harris hosts; Taylor Swift performs "Love Story" and "Forever & Always." Sketches include "The Rachel Maddow Show," "The Today Show," "Save Broadway," "Penelope in Group…
- Episode 13: Rosario Dawson/Fleet Foxes Jan 17, 2009 · 1h 7m Actress Rosario Dawson hosts; Fleet Foxes perform "Mykonos" and "Blue Ridge Mountains." Sketches include "Vice President Dick Cheney: The Final Interview," "North American Savings…
- Episode 14: Steve Martin/Jason Mraz Jan 31, 2009 · 1h 7m
- Episode 15: Bradley Cooper/TV on the Radio Feb 7, 2009 · 1h 7m
- Episode 16: Alec Baldwin/Jonas Brothers Feb 14, 2009 · 1h 7m Actor Alec Baldwin hosts; Jonas Brothers perform "Tonight" and "Video Girl." Sketches include "Republican Congressional Leadership Meeting," "The Fourth Jonas Brother," "The Cougar Den,"…
- Episode 17: Dwayne Johnson/Ray LaMontagne Mar 7, 2009 · 1h 7m Sketches include "1-800-IDEAS?," "MacGruber" (three parts), "The Rock Obama," "Activia Testimonials," "Hawaiians," "Game Time with Dave and Gary," "NBC Promos," and "Lighthouse Date."
- Episode 18: Tracy Morgan/Kelly Clarkson Mar 14, 2009 · 1h 7m
- Episode 19: Seth Rogen/Phoenix Apr 4, 2009 · 1h 7m
- Episode 20: Zac Efron/Yeah Yeah Yeahs Apr 11, 2009 · 1h 7m
- Episode 21: Justin Timberlake/Ciara May 9, 2009 · 1h 7m
- Episode 22: Will Ferrell/Green Day May 16, 2009 · 1h 7m Host Will Ferrell; Green Day performs; Norm Macdonald, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd also appear.