Saturday Night Live aired its 11th season during the 1985-1986 television season on NBC. The season started on November 9, 1985 and ended on May 24, 1986, 18 episodes were produced.

Dick Ebersol left the show after the 1984-85 season, when the network refused his request to shut the program down entirely for six months and shift much of the material onto tape, not live broadcast. Once again, NBC briefly considered cancelling the show, but programming head Brandon Tartikoff decided to continue the show and re-hire erstwhile producer Lorne Michaels.

In some ways the job Michaels returned to was more challenging than the one he took on in 1975. For starters, Michaels' "golden boy" reputation was somewhat tarnished. His most recent effort, the previous season's The New Show confused critics and was ignored by audiences. Also, the 1984-1985 season had been a critical and ratings hit, generating memorable characters and stand-out performers. However, Michaels would not be the only member of the old guard to return: original writers Al Franken and Tom Davis would return as producers, and Jim Downey would be head writer. Fans and critics welcomed Michaels and many of the original producers and writers back, calling it a return to the show's roots.
18 Episodes
  • Madonna/Simple Minds
    Madonna/Simple MindsEpisode 1
  • Chevy Chase/Sheila E.
    Chevy Chase/Sheila E.Episode 2
  • Pee Wee Herman/Queen Ida & The Bon Temps Zydeco Band
    Pee Wee Herman/Queen Ida & The Bon Temps Zydeco BandEpisode 3
  • John Lithgow/Mr. Mister
    John Lithgow/Mr. MisterEpisode 4
  • Tom Hanks/Sade
    Tom Hanks/SadeEpisode 5
  • Teri Garr/Dream Academy, The Cult
    Teri Garr/Dream Academy, The CultEpisode 6
  • Harry Dean Stanton/The Replacements
    Harry Dean Stanton/The ReplacementsEpisode 7
  • Dudley Moore/Al Green
    Dudley Moore/Al GreenEpisode 8
  • Ron Reagan/The Nelsons
    Ron Reagan/The NelsonsEpisode 9
  • Jerry Hall/Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
    Jerry Hall/Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double TroubleEpisode 10
  • Jay Leno/The Neville Brothers
    Jay Leno/The Neville BrothersEpisode 11
  • Griffin Dunne/Rosanne Cash
    Griffin Dunne/Rosanne CashEpisode 12
  • George Wendt/Philip Glass
    George Wendt/Philip GlassEpisode 13
  • Oprah Winfrey/Joe Jackson
    Oprah Winfrey/Joe JacksonEpisode 14
  • Tony Danza/Laurie Anderson
    Tony Danza/Laurie AndersonEpisode 15
  • Catherine Oxenberg & Paul Simon/Ladysmith Black Mambazo
    Catherine Oxenberg & Paul Simon/Ladysmith Black MambazoEpisode 16
  • Jimmy Breslin & Marvin Hagler/Level 42, E.G. Daily
    Jimmy Breslin & Marvin Hagler/Level 42, E.G. DailyEpisode 17
  • Anjelica Huston & Billy Martin/George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic
    Anjelica Huston & Billy Martin/George Clinton & Parliament-FunkadelicEpisode 18
Cast of Season 11
  • Joan CusackSelf - Various Characters
  • Nora DunnSelf - Various Characters
  • Anthony Michael HallSelf - Various Characters
  • Dennis MillerSelf - Various Characters
  • Robert Downey Jr.Self - Various Characters
  • Jon LovitzSelf - Various Characters
  • Danitra VanceSelf - Various Characters
  • Randy QuaidSelf - Various Characters
  • Terry SweeneySelf - Various Characters

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