These are not what I'd say are the best episodes, just ones that are indicative of what the show was like at the time, down to cast participation, level of writing, even the visuals (graphics, sets, etc.). Some people may find this a dumb exercise, but... it's MY blog.
Era 1: Chevy (season 1-season 2, e6): Candice Bergen/Esther Phillips... the feel of a cabaret/sketch show, Gerald Ford jokes, an eclectic musical guest
Era 2: classic years (season 2, e7-season 4): Steve Martin/Blues Brothers... some classic sketches in the first half, followed by some more muted pieces in the second half
Era 3: Bill Murray show (season 5): Strother Martin/The Specials... some loooooong sketches (many conceptual), Reagan jokes, hostage jokes, a host whose fame is matched (or bettered) by the cast, and a musical guest point the way toward the 80s
Era 4: SNL 80 (season 6): Robert Hays / Joe 'King' Carrasco & The Crown, 14 Karat Soul... cheap jokes, the cast is trying too hard, Eddie and Joe have the few bright spots (in the news), a semi-forgotten host, and a general sense of doom
Era 5: Mr. Mike (season 6, ep13-season 7, ep8): Bernadette Peters/Billy Joel, Go Gos... some daring, almost experimental pieces, Eddie continues cementing his fame by talking directly to the camera, with Tim Kazurinsky being the secret utility player
Era 6: Ebersol years (season 7, ep9-season 9): Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman / Eddy Grant... Eddie and Joe front and center with some more subtle pieces buried later in the show
Era 7: Steinbrenner (season 10): Ed Asner/The Kinks... lots for Billy Crystal to do, Harry Shearer still in the cold.
Era 8: Lorne returns (season 11): Dudley Moore/Al Green... a classy, established host and musical guest, with hints of the greatness to come from the writers, but overall an odd, flat show
Era 9: classic years 2 (season 12-18): Robin Williams/Paul Simon... a game host, an excellent, eclectic musical guest (since Simon was performing Graceland material), and a well-rounded cast
Era 10: Bad Boys (season 19-20): Patrick Stewart/Salt-n-Pepa... the ingredients for a great show that ultimately gives over too much time to the bad boys
Era 11: Ohlmeyer years (seasons 21-25): Pamela Anderson/Rollins Band... host-of-the-moment, excellent WU, Norm and Will Ferrell carrying the cast through some odd material
Era 12: Tina Fey years (seasons 26-29): Lucy Liu/Jay-Z... corporate comedy
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