The BEST episodes of Saturday Night Live season 40

Every episode of Saturday Night Live season 40, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Saturday Night Live season 40!

Each week, a famous guest host appears in sketches and parodies alongside a roster of up-and-coming comedians. A popular musical guest, short films, and Weekend Update - a recurring satirical newscast - form the backbone of one of the most influential and culturally significant TV shows in history.

Last Updated: 10/31/2024Network: NBCStatus: Continuing
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Bill Hader/Hozier
star
7.88
243 votes

#1 - Bill Hader/Hozier

Season 40 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/2014

Host Bill Hader; Hozier performs.

Jim Carrey/Iggy Azalea
star
7.80
286 votes

#2 - Jim Carrey/Iggy Azalea

Season 40 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/25/2014

Jim Carrey hosts; Iggy Azalea performs a medley of "Fancy" and "Black Widow" with Rita Ora and "Beg for It" with Mø

Directors: Don Roy King
James Franco/Nicki Minaj
star
7.59
218 votes

#3 - James Franco/Nicki Minaj

Season 40 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/6/2014

Directors: Don Roy King
J.K. Simmons/D'Angelo
star
7.47
116 votes

#4 - J.K. Simmons/D'Angelo

Season 40 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/31/2015

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.

Kevin Hart/Sia
star
7.42
168 votes

#5 - Kevin Hart/Sia

Season 40 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/17/2015

Reese Witherspoon/Florence and the Machine
star
7.41
146 votes

#6 - Reese Witherspoon/Florence and the Machine

Season 40 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/9/2015

Sketches include 2016 Republicans Cold Open, Mother's Day Apologies Monologue with Reese Witherspoon, The L.A. Scene, Picture Perfect, Mr. Westerberg, Weekend Update: Leslie Jones on Social Media, Weekend Update: Colin Jost and Michael Che Read Their Mothers' Jokes, Weekend Update: Two Girls You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party, Weekend Update: Willie on Graduation, High School Theatre Show, Southern Ladies, Waterslide, and Whiskers R' We Spring Cat Giveaway.

Sarah Silverman/Maroon 5
star
7.38
193 votes

#7 - Sarah Silverman/Maroon 5

Season 40 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/2014

Host Sarah Silverman; Maroon 5 perform.

Martin Freeman/Charli XCX
star
7.27
190 votes

#8 - Martin Freeman/Charli XCX

Season 40 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/13/2014

Directors: Don Roy King
Chris Rock/Prince
star
7.22
158 votes

#9 - Chris Rock/Prince

Season 40 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/1/2014

Host Chris Rock; Prince and 3RDEYEGIRL perform an eight minute medley including the songs "Clouds", "PLECTRUMELECTRUM", "MARZ" and "ANOTHERLOVE".

Directors: Don Roy King
Chris Pratt/Ariana Grande
star
7.21
281 votes

#10 - Chris Pratt/Ariana Grande

Season 40 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/27/2014

Host Chris Pratt; Ariana Grande performs.

Writer: James Downey
Cameron Diaz/Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars
star
7.18
218 votes

#11 - Cameron Diaz/Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars

Season 40 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/22/2014

Host Cameron Diaz; Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars performs "Uptown Funk" and "Feel Right" with Mystikal.

Directors: Don Roy King
Woody Harrelson/Kendrick Lamar
star
7.16
171 votes

#12 - Woody Harrelson/Kendrick Lamar

Season 40 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/15/2014

Host Woody Harrelson; Kendrick Lamar performs "I" and "Pay for It" (the latter with Chantal Kreviazuk and Jay Rock).

Directors: Don Roy King
Louis C.K./Rihanna
star
7.13
193 votes

#13 - Louis C.K./Rihanna

Season 40 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/16/2015

Sketches include Summertime Cold Open, Louis C.K. Monologue, The Shoemaker & The Elves, This Is How I Talk, Wood PSA #1, Weekend Update: Tom Brady, Weekend Update: Pete Davidson on Turning 21, Weekend Update: Riblet Interrupts Cut Jokes, Cabana, Police Lineup, Wood PSA #2, and Forgotten TV Gems: Whoops! I Married a Lesbian.

Dwayne Johnson/George Ezra
star
7.00
278 votes

#14 - Dwayne Johnson/George Ezra

Season 40 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/28/2015

Sketches include: The Rock Obama, Dwayne Johnson's Franchise Viagra Monologue, Pepboys, WWE Promo Shoot, New Disney Movie, Dinner Date, The Jungle, Brogaine, Weekend Update: Olya Povlatsky on the Russian Economy, Weekend Update: Willie Is Excited for Spring, Cooking with Paul, Improv Show, Interrogation, and Circus with Kyle.

Taraji P. Henson/Mumford & Sons
star
6.95
198 votes

#15 - Taraji P. Henson/Mumford & Sons

Season 40 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/11/2015

Sketches include Hillary Election Video Cold Open, Taraji P. Henson's I Made It Monologue, Depend Legends, Teacher Trial, Home 2, QVC, Game of Thrones, Weekend Update: Cecilia Gimenez on Lucille Ball Statue, Weekend Update: Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy Explains Passover, Hollywood Game Night with Taraji P. Henson, Vlog with Taraji P. Henson, Sesame Street Promo, Their Own League, and Connectatron

Michael Keaton/Carly Rae Jepsen
star
6.80
200 votes

#16 - Michael Keaton/Carly Rae Jepsen

Season 40 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/4/2015

Sketches include NCAA Tournament Cold Open, Michael Keaton Tribute Monologue, CNN Newsroom, Prom Queen, Easter Hotline, Ad Agency, Neutrology Music Video, Weekend Update: Pete Davidson on The Walking Dead Season Finale, Weekend Update: Jebidiah Atkinson Reviews Television Shows, Smart Home, and Easter Candy.

Blake Shelton
star
6.67
110 votes

#17 - Blake Shelton

Season 40 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/24/2015

Amy Adams/One Direction
star
6.64
197 votes

#18 - Amy Adams/One Direction

Season 40 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/20/2014

Directors: Don Roy King
Scarlett Johansson/Wiz Khalifa
star
6.64
201 votes

#19 - Scarlett Johansson/Wiz Khalifa

Season 40 - Episode 19 - Aired 5/2/2015

Sketches include Mayweather-Pacquiao Cold Open, Scarlett Johansson Monologue, Right Side of the Bed with Scarlett Johansson, Orioles, Black Widow Trailer, Girlfriends Talk Show: Prom Queen Camden, Weekend Update: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Marriage Equality, Weekend Update: Game of Thrones' Samwell Tarly and Gilly, Weekend Update: Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal on the NBA Playoffs, Dino Bones, Blazer, Virgin Flight, and Jingle Writers.

Chris Hemsworth/Zac Brown Band
star
6.58
192 votes

#20 - Chris Hemsworth/Zac Brown Band

Season 40 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/7/2015

Dakota Johnson/Alabama Shakes
star
6.40
159 votes

#21 - Dakota Johnson/Alabama Shakes

Season 40 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/28/2015

Sketches include: Giuliani, Father Daughter Ad, Cinderella, Say What You Wanna Say, Press Junket, I Can't, Weekend Update: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Not Retiring, Weekend Update: Kanye West Apologizes, Weekend Update: Riblet Returns, Emergency Room, Net Neutrality, and Mr. Riot Films.