Season 40
Saturday Night Live premiered its fortieth season during the 2014–15 television season on NBC. The season premiered on September 27, 2014, with host Chris Pratt and musical guest Ariana Grande, and former cast member Darrell Hammond as the show's new announcer, replacing Don Pardo, who had died in August. The premiere included an interstitial photograph of Pardo. Pardo had been the announcer for SNL since it premiered in 1975, with the exception of season seven and season 21, episode 14, where Hammond took his place. This season also saw the death of former cast member Jan Hooks, who died from cancer two weeks into the season.
Episodes
1. Chris Pratt with Ariana Grande
Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt hosts Saturday Night Live's 40th season premiere with musical guest Ariana Grade. Sketches include Marvel Trailer, He-Man & Lion-O, CNN State of the Union – NFL Cold Open, Cialis Turnt and Booty Rap.
2. Sarah Silverman with Maroon 5
Saturday Night Live alum Sarah Silverman returns as host while musical guest Maroon 5 makes their fifth appearance on the show. Sketches include Joan Rivers, Whites, Weekend Update: What You Can Say, Proud Mary, Car Ride and Poem.
3. Bill Hader with Hozier
Bill Hader makes his hosting debut alongside musical guest Hozier. Sketches include Herb Welch: Virginity Pledge Rally, The Group Hopper, Hollywood Game Night, Weekend Update: Stefon Returns, Puppet Class and Cat.
4. Jim Carrey with Iggy Azalea
Jim Carrey returns as host for the third time while musical guest Iggy Azalea makes her SNL debut. Sketches include Halloween Party, Ghost Chasers, Carrey Family Reunion, Lincoln Ad and Weekend Update: Drunk Uncle on Halloween.
5. Chris Rock with Prince
Former cast member Chris Rock hosts for the second time while Prince performs a special medley set. Sketches include Vlog, Shark Tank, How's He Doing, GoProbe and Swiftamine.
6. Woody Harrelson with Kendrick Lamar
Woody Harrelson hosts Saturday Night Live for the third time and Kendrick Lamar performs. Sketches include 1989 Monologue, The Dudleys, Match'd, A New Day, Weekend Update: Matthew McConaughey & Woody Harrelson and Last Call with Woody Harrelson.
7. Cameron Diaz with Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson
Cameron Diaz hosts Saturday Night Live for the fourth time while Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars serve as musical guest. Sketches include Back Home Ballers, Capitol Hill Cold Open, New Annie, High School Theater Show and Office Boss.
8. James Franco with Nicki Minaj
James Franco hosts Saturday Night Live for the third time while Nicki Minaj makes her second appearance as musical guest. Sketches include Peter Pan Live!, Star Wars Teaser, Brain Space, Kid Mayor and Porn Stars with James Franco and Seth Rogen.
9. Martin Freeman with Charli XCX
Martin Freeman makes his Saturday Night Live hosting debut while Charli XCX serves as musical guest. Sketches include The Hobbit Office, Sump'n Claus, Church, Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy on Hanukkah and Waterbed Commercial.
10. Amy Adams with One Direction
Amy Adams returns to host Saturday Night Live while One Direction makes their third appearance as musical guest. Sketches include Christmas Serial, Girlfriends Talk Show with Amy Adams and One Direction, Tenderfield Video Christmas Card, Sam/Smith Dr. Evil Cold Open and Office Christmas Party.
11. Kevin Hart with Sia
Kevin Hart hosts Saturday Night Live for the second time while Sia makes her debut as musical guest. Sketches include MLK Cold Open, Kevin Hart Monologue, Calvin Klein Ad, Why'd You Post That, Bushwick, Brooklyn 2015 and Kevin's Son.
12. Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton pulls double duty as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Sketches include Blake Shelton's Hee-Haw Monologue, Farm Hunk, Wishin' Boot, Celebrity Family Feud and Weekend Update: Riblet.
13. J.K. Simmons with D'Angelo
J.K. Simmons makes his hosting debut while D'Angelo serves as musical guest. Sketches include Super Bowl Shut Down, J.K. Simmons Monologue, Teacher Snow Day, Totino's Super Bowl Commercial and The Jay Z Story.
14. Dakota Johnson with Alabama Shakes
Actress Dakota Johnson hosts SNL for the first time while Alabama Shakes returns as musical guest. Sketches include Giuliani Cold Open, Father Daughter Ad, Say What You Wanna Say, Press Junket, I Can't and Emergency Room.
15. Chris Hemsworth with Zac Brown Band
Host Chris Hemsworth and musical guest Zac Brown Band make their SNL debuts. Sketches include American Express Ad, Empire Promo, Avengers News Report, Porn Stars: Dolce & Gabbana and Reality House.
16. Dwayne Johnson with George Ezra
Dwayne Johnson hosts for the fourth time while musical guest George Ezra makes his SNL debut. Sketches include The Rock Obama Cold Open, Dwayne Johnson's Franchise Viagra Monologue, New Disney Movie, The Jungle, Pepboys and Improv Show.
17. Michael Keaton with Carly Rae Jepsen
Michael Keaton hosts for the third time while musical guest Carly Rae Jepsen makes her SNL debut. Sketches include Michael Keaton Tribute Monologue, Prom Queen, Easter Hotline, Neutrology Music Video, Weekend Update: Pete Davidson on The Walking Dead Season Finale and Easter Candy.
18. Taraji P. Henson with Mumford & Sons
Taraji P. Henson makes her hosting debut alongside second-time musical guest Mumford & Sons. Sketches include Hillary Election Video Cold Open, Taraji P. Henson's I Made It Monologue, Game of Thrones, Sesame Street Promo and Weekend Update: Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy Explains Passover.
19. Scarlett Johansson with Wiz Khalifa
Scarlett Johansson hosts for the fourth time alongside musical guest Wiz Khalifa in his SNL debut. Sketches include Mayweather-Pacquiao Cold Open, Orioles, Girlfriends Talk Show: Prom Queen Camden, Virgin Flight, Blazer and Weekend Update: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Marriage Equality.
20. Reese Witherspoon with Florence and the Machine
Reese Witherspoon makes her second appearance as host alongside musical guest Florence + the Machine. Sketches include 2016 Republicans Cold Open, Mother's Day Apologies Monologue with Reese Witherspoon, Picture Perfect, High School Theatre Show and Whiskers R' We Spring Cat Giveaway.
21. Louis C.K. with Rihanna
Louis C.K. returns as host for the third time while Rihanna makes her fifth appearance as musical guest. Sketches include Summertime Cold Open, Louis C.K. Monologue, Police Lineup, This Is How I Talk, Wood PSA and The Shoemaker & the Elves.