Saturday Night Live: Season 13
The thirteenth season of Saturday Night Live aired on NBC during the 1987–1988 television season, spanning from October 17, 1987, to February 27, 1988. The season was characterized by minimal cast changes, which included the promotion of Kevin Nealon to repertory status and the return of Al Franken to the cast. Production faced significant challenges early on when a fire broke out near Studio 8H during the dress rehe
Season 13 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Saturday Night Live is a long-running late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels.
- The program is recognized as a prestigious venue that has launched the careers of numerous famous actors and comedians.
- The show utilizes a repertory cast system where performers are promoted to recurring roles within the ensemble.
- The production relies on a rigorous weekly schedule that typically includes a dress rehearsal prior to the live broadcast.
Season overview
The thirteenth season of Saturday Night Live aired on NBC during the 1987–1988 television season, spanning from October 17, 1987, to February 27, 1988. The season was characterized by minimal cast changes, which included the promotion of Kevin Nealon to repertory status and the return of Al Franken to the cast. Production faced significant challenges early on when a fire broke out near Studio 8H during the dress rehearsal for the season premiere. Despite initial plans to cancel the broadcast, host Steve Martin encouraged the cast to proceed, resulting in the Steve Martin and Sting episode being the only installment in the series history to air without a dress rehearsal. The season was ultimately shortened due to the Writers Guild of America strike, which began on March 7, 1988. This labor action resulted in the cancellation of several planned episodes, including a scheduled appearance by former cast member Gilda Radner. Radner did not host before her death from ovarian cancer the following year, and the host for the final intended broadcast on March 12, 1988, was never confirmed. The season concluded prematurely as a result of these external production disruptions.
Episode Guide
Season 13 Progress Shield
Steve Martin/Sting
Oct 17, 1987 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Ronald Reagan and George Bush,"" ""Gary Hart Ad,"" ""Common Knowledge,"" ""NFL Today,"" ""Slide Whistle Sound Effects,"" ""Bullets Aren't Cheap,"" ""Permission t
Sean Penn/L.L. Cool J., Michael Penn & the Pull
Oct 24, 1987 · 67 min
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," "Dis
Dabney Coleman/The Cars
Oct 31, 1987 · 67 min
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," "S
Candice Bergen/Cher
Nov 21, 1987 · 67 min
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
Danny DeVito/Bryan Ferry
Dec 5, 1987 · 67 min
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 Lande
Angie Dickinson/Buster Poindexter & David Gilmour
Dec 12, 1987 · 67 min
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, T
Paul Simon/Linda Ronstadt & the Mariachi Vargas
Dec 19, 1987 · 67 min
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 Swe
Robin Williams/James Taylor
Jan 23, 1988 · 67 min
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
Carl Weathers/Robbie Robertson
Jan 30, 1988 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Bush-Whacked,"" ""The NFL Today,"" ""Handi-Off,"" ""Democratic Debate '88,"" ""Helen and Cheri,"" ""TV Actress,"" ""Master Thespian,"" and ""The Garden"" (film).
Justine Bateman/Terrance Trent D'Arby
Feb 13, 1988 · 67 min
""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
Tom Hanks/Randy Travis
Feb 20, 1988 · 67 min
""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 F
Judge Reinhold/10,000 Maniacs
Feb 27, 1988 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Pumping Up With Hans & Franz,"" ""Church Chat,"" ""Friendly Dictator,"" and ""Big Bird Pirates.""