Saturday Night Live

Season 34

22 episodes · 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.

0/22 watched

Swipe a row to mark watched · long-press to mark up to there

  • Michael Phelps/Lil Wayne
    S34E1

    Michael Phelps/Lil Wayne

    Sep 13, 200867m

    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," "Stacia and Cousin Craig," "The Charles Barkley Show," "T-Mobile," "Space Olympics 3022" (Digital Short), "Mark Payne," and "The Michael Phelps Diet." Lil' Wayne performed "Got Money" (featuring Mack Maine) and "Lollipop."

    Reviews
  • James Franco/Kings of Leon
    S34E2

    James Franco/Kings of Leon

    Sep 20, 200867m

    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," "New York Times Reporters," "Of Mice and Men," "Yankee Stadium Stories" (film), and "James and Willam Dafoe." Kings of Leon performed "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody."

    Reviews
  • Anna Faris/Duffy
    S34E3

    Anna Faris/Duffy

    Sep 27, 200867m

    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 Slightly Stained Wedding Dress Basement," and "Superior Ex-Boyfriend." Duffy performed "Mercy" and "Stepping Stone."

    Reviews
  • Anne Hathaway/The Killers
    S34E4

    Anne Hathaway/The Killers

    Oct 4, 200867m

    Sketches include "The Vice Presidential Debate," "The Lawrence Welk Show," "The Wall Street Bailout," "Nightclub Flirting," "Extreme Activities Competition" (Digital Short), "Mary Poppins," "Sioux City News 3," "Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals," "Pretending To Be Gay," and "The Less Provocactive Songs of Katy Perry." The Killers performed "Human" and "Spaceman."

    Reviews
  • S34E5

    Josh Brolin/Adele

    Oct 18, 200867m

    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 No Angel," "Fart Face," "Narc School," "ReadiTrade.com," "New York Underground" (film), and "Fall Foliage." Adele performed "Chasing Pavements" and "Cold Shoulder."

    Reviews
  • Jon Hamm/Coldplay
    S34E6

    Jon Hamm/Coldplay

    Oct 25, 200867m

    Jon Hamm/Coldplay is the sixth episode of the thirty-fourth season of Saturday Night Live. It originally aired on October 25, 2008.

    Reviews
  • Ben Affleck/David Cook
    S34E7

    Ben Affleck/David Cook

    Nov 1, 200867m

    Ben Affleck Hosts, special guest John McCain, and your musical guest is Dave Cook.

    Reviews
  • Paul Rudd/Beyonce
    S34E8

    Paul Rudd/Beyonce

    Nov 15, 200867m

    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 and Tonya Peoples," "Garden Party Road Trip," "Beyonce Video Shoot," "Suicide Negotiation," "Proposition 8," and "Clearing the Air" (film). Beyonce performed "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies."

    Reviews
  • Tim McGraw/Ludacris/T-Pain
    S34E9

    Tim McGraw/Ludacris/T-Pain

    Nov 22, 200867m

    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 Montgomery," "Dale Britches' Down-Home Phony Phone Calls," and "Mark Payne."

    Reviews
  • John Malkovich/T.I.
    S34E10

    John Malkovich/T.I.

    Dec 6, 200867m

    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 Televisione," "Virgania Horsen's Pony Express" (Digital Short), "Calculators," "The Lost Works of Judy Blume," "Jizz In My Pants" (Digital Short), and "J'Accuzzi." T.I. performed "Whatever You Like" and "Swing Ya Rag" (featuring Swizz Beatz).

    Reviews
  • Hugh Laurie/Kanye West
    S34E11

    Hugh Laurie/Kanye West

    Dec 13, 200867m

    Live from New York, it's... Jason Sudeikis! Sketches include "Blagojevich Testimony," "Bronx Beat," "Sarcastic Christmas Dinner," "Culhane Wedding Toasts," "Magical Lamps," "Cat Christmas Letter," and "Cookie Crimes" (Digital Short). Kayne West performed "Love Lockdown" and "Heartless."

    Reviews
  • Neil Patrick Harris/Taylor Swift
    S34E12

    Neil Patrick Harris/Taylor Swift

    Jan 10, 200967m

    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 Therapy," "Digital Short: Doogie Howser Theme Song," "Weekend Update" with guests Charles Barkley and Will Forte, "Two First Names," "Air Traffic Controllers Fran and Freba," "Frost/Other People," and "Whopper Virgins."

    Reviews
  • Rosario Dawson/Fleet Foxes
    S34E13

    Rosario Dawson/Fleet Foxes

    Jan 17, 200967m

    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!"

    Reviews
  • Steve Martin/Jason Mraz
    S34E14

    Steve Martin/Jason Mraz

    Jan 31, 200967m
    Reviews
  • Bradley Cooper/TV on the Radio
    S34E15

    Bradley Cooper/TV on the Radio

    Feb 7, 200967m
    Reviews
  • Alec Baldwin/Jonas Brothers
    S34E16

    Alec Baldwin/Jonas Brothers

    Feb 14, 200967m

    Actor Alec Baldwin hosts; Jonas Brothers perform "Tonight" and "Video Girl." Sketches include "Republican Congressional Leadership Meeting," "The Fourth Jonas Brother," "The Cougar Den," "Digital Short: The Jonas Brothers' Secret," "Sir Mix-a-Lot's Photo Shop," "Weekend Update" with guests Oscar Rogers, Angelina Jolie, Angie Tempura, and Joaquin Phoenix, "Vincent Price's Valentine's Day Special," "Planning a Meeting," "Wii," "Chewable Pampers Commercial," "Virgania Horsen's Hot Air Balloon Rides," and "First Coughs."

    Reviews
  • Dwayne Johnson/Ray LaMontagne
    S34E17

    Dwayne Johnson/Ray LaMontagne

    Mar 7, 200967m

    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."

    Reviews
  • Tracy Morgan/Kelly Clarkson
    S34E18

    Tracy Morgan/Kelly Clarkson

    Mar 14, 200967m
    Reviews
  • Seth Rogen/Phoenix
    S34E19

    Seth Rogen/Phoenix

    Apr 4, 200967m
    Reviews
  • Zac Efron/Yeah Yeah Yeahs
    S34E20

    Zac Efron/Yeah Yeah Yeahs

    Apr 11, 200967m
    Reviews
  • Justin Timberlake/Ciara
    S34E21

    Justin Timberlake/Ciara

    May 9, 200967m
    Reviews
  • Will Ferrell/Green Day
    S34E22

    Will Ferrell/Green Day

    May 16, 200967m

    Host Will Ferrell; Green Day performs; Norm Macdonald, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd also appear.

    Reviews