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.
#1 - Bill Hader/Hozier
Season 40 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/2014
Host Bill Hader; Hozier performs.
#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
#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.
#5 - Kevin Hart/Sia
Season 40 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/17/2015
#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.
#7 - Sarah Silverman/Maroon 5
Season 40 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/2014
Host Sarah Silverman; Maroon 5 perform.
#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".
#10 - Chris Pratt/Ariana Grande
Season 40 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/27/2014
Host Chris Pratt; Ariana Grande performs.
#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.
#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).
#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.
#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.
#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
#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.
#17 - Blake Shelton
Season 40 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/24/2015
#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.
#20 - Chris Hemsworth/Zac Brown Band
Season 40 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/7/2015
#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.