Saturday Night Live aired its thirty-sixth season during the 2010–2011 television season on NBC. This season began on September 25, 2010 with former cast member Amy Poehler serving as host and Katy Perry as the musical guest, and ended on May 21, 2011 with Justin Timberlake serving as host and Lady Gaga as musical guest.
Prior to the start of the season, many cast changes occurred. Will Forte, who had been with the show since 2002, announced on August 26, 2010 that he would be leaving the show. Featured player Jenny Slate was let go from the show after only one season. Abby Elliott and Bobby Moynihan were promoted to repertory status, becoming the first featured players to be promoted since 2006.
The show hired four new cast members: Chicago improvisers Vanessa Bayer and Paul Brittain from ImprovOlympic; stand-up comic/impressionist Jay Pharoah; and comedic actor Taran Killam of The Groundlings, who, like Jeff Richards was a former cast member on SNL's rival sketch show, MADtv.
This season also debuted a new animated feature voiced by former SNL cast members, called "Greetings from American America", created by former SNL head writer Fred Wolf.
Episodes
E1
1. Amy Poehler with Katy Perry
7.7
September 25, 2010
67 min
America's long-running sketch comedy show returns for Season 36 with "SNL" alum Amy Poehler helming the cast and fielding kisses from Justin Timberlake. Sketches include Bronx Beat, Hair Restoration, Maternity Matters, Wedding Venue, and more.
Justin Timberlake, Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler
E2
2. Bryan Cranston with Kanye West
4.0
October 2, 2010
67 min
Sketches include Rahm Emanuel Address Cold Open, Bryan Cranston Song Monologue, Pepto Bismol Ice, Miley Cyrus Show, What Up With That?, Shanna: Basketball Game, An SNL Digitial Short: Rescue Dogs 3-D, and Weekend Update.
Guest Stars:
Ye, Bryan Cranston, Pusha T, Ernest Borgnine, Morgan Freeman
3
E3
3. Jane Lynch with Bruno Mars
7.2
October 9, 2010
67 min
Sketches include Ask Gloria Allred Cold Open, Jane Lynch Monologue, Facebook, New Boyfriend Talk Show, Christine O'Donnell Ad, Secret Word, An SNL Digital Short: Relaxation Therapy, Returns & Exchanges and more.
Guest Stars:
Bruno Mars, Jane Lynch
E4
4. Emma Stone with Kings of Leon
5.5
October 23, 2010
67 min
Sketches include Obama & Reid Cold Open, Emma Stone Monologue, Baby Spanx, Makeover Show, Headline News Show, An SNL Digital Short: I Broke My Arm, The View, Wrangler Jeans Commercial, Weekend Update and more.
Guest Stars:
Emma Stone, John Mulaney, Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Nathan Followill
E5
5. Jon Hamm with Rihanna
6.4
October 30, 2010
67 min
Rihanna performs "What's My Name" and "“Only Girl (In The World)"
Sketches include Biden Cold Open, Jon Hamm Monologue, An SNL Digital Short: Ronnie And Clyde, Vincent Price Halloween, Back To The Future Screen Tests, I Didn't Ask For This, Highway Cops, Darlique & Barney, Dog in Purse
Guest Stars:
Rihanna, Jon Hamm, Colin Jost
6
E6
6. Scarlett Johansson with Arcade Fire
6.5
November 13, 2010
67 min
Sketches include G-20 Cold Open, 16 and Pregnant Spinoffs, Millionaire Matchmaker, Manuel Ortiz Show, Unstoppable Trailer, Hollywood Dish, Weekend Update including Jay & Jason as George W. Bush & Kanye West; Vanessa & Fredas, and more.
Guest Stars:
Will Butler, Scarlett Johansson, Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Richard Reed Parry
E7
7. Anne Hathaway with Florence and the Machine
6.6
November 20, 2010
67 min
Sketches include Rachel Maddow Cold Open, Anne Hathaway Monologue, Message from the TSA, Miley Cyrus Show, Penelope Thanksgiving, Visiting the Queen, Weekend Update, Herb Welch, Black Friday, and Camel Tame.
Guest Stars:
Florence Welch, Anne Hathaway, Isabella Summers, Robert Ackroyd, Tom Monger
E8
8. Robert De Niro with Diddy-Dirty Money
5.8
December 4, 2010
67 min
Sketches include WikiLeaks Cold Open, New York Monologue, Book Ad, What Up With That, Mr. Produce, An SNL Digital Short: Party at Mr. Bernard's, Weekend Update, Movie Fan, Blizzard Man, Vinny Talks to De Niro, Hair Restoration, and more.
Guest Stars:
Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Sean Combs, Swizz Beatz, Robin Williams
E9
9. Paul Rudd with Paul McCartney
7.5
December 11, 2010
67 min
Sketches include Obama Address Cold Open, Paul Monologue, Cat Cuisine, Kissing Family, What's That Name, Message From MasterCard, Sexually Speaking, Weekend Update, Field Day, and Ice Show at the Garden (Meryl Streep on Ice).
Guest Stars:
Paul McCartney, Paul Rudd, Mario Batali
E10
10. Jeff Bridges with Eminem & Lil Wayne
6.3
December 18, 2010
67 min
Sketches include White House Christmas Party Cold Open, Christmas Song Monologue (Silver Bells with Cookie Monster), A Message From Mark Zuckerberg, Miley Cyrus Show, An SNL Digital Short: I Just Had Sex, Larry King Live and more.
Guest Stars:
Blake Lively, Eminem, Jorma Taccone, Lil Wayne, John McEnroe
11
E11
11. Jim Carrey with The Black Keys
7.4
January 8, 2011
67 min
Sketches include Bloomberg Cold Open, Jim Carrey Monologue, Hair Restoration, Black Swan, Finding Your Power (Healing Conversations), Grady Wilson's Tantric N' Tasty, Worst of Soul Train, Weekend Update, Amusement Park Ride and more.
Guest Stars:
Jim Carrey, Dan Auerbach, Patrick Carney
E12
12. Gwyneth Paltrow with Cee Lo Green
7.8
January 15, 2011
67 min
Sketches include Fox News Cold Open, Country Monologue, The Cape Promo, Secret Word, An SNL Digital Short: Andy & Pee Wee's Night Out, Bar Mitzvah Songs, Record Meeting, Weekend Update, Fresh Prince Lost Episodes, ESPN Deportes, and more.
Guest Stars:
Gwyneth Paltrow, Anderson Cooper, Cee Lo Green, Paul Reubens
E13
13. Jesse Eisenberg with Nicki Minaj
8.2
January 29, 2011
67 min
Sketches include Bachmann Address Cold Open, Eisenberg Monologue featuring Mark Zuckerberg, Estromaxx, Mister Wizard, Herb Welch, An SNL Digital Short: The Creep featuring Nicki Minaj, Weekend Update, Bride of Blackenstein, MTV Skins, and more.
Guest Stars:
Nicki Minaj, Jorma Taccone, Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Zuckerberg, Akiva Schaffer
E14
14. Dana Carvey with Linkin Park
8.0
February 5, 2011
67 min
Sketches include Wayne's World Cold Open featuring Mike Myers, Dana Carvey Monologue, Sleepmate Pro, Church Chat featuring Justin Bieber, Teen Crisis Hotline, The Roommate featuring Justin Bieber, Weekend Update, Pageant Preview, and more.
Guest Stars:
Dana Carvey, Chester Bennington, Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave Farrell
E15
15. Russell Brand with Chris Brown
7.8
February 12, 2011
67 min
Sketches include O'Reilly/Obama Cold Open, Russell Monologue, Spider-Man Lawsuit, Vacation Giveaway, British Movie Trailer, Royal Taster, Chris Brown "Yeah 3X", Weekend Update, and more.
Guest Stars:
Russell Brand, Chris Brown
E16
16. Miley Cyrus with The Strokes
6.3
March 5, 2011
67 min
Sketches include Winning It Cold Open, Miley Perfect Monologue, Baby Spanx, Our Time with Taboo & Apl De App, Disney Channel Acting School, Miley Cyrus Show, The Strokes "Under Cover of Darkness," Weekend Update, and more.
Guest Stars:
Julian Casablancas, Nikolai Fraiture, Albert Hammond Jr., Fabrizio Moretti, Nick Valensi
E17
17. Zach Galifianakis with Jessie J.
8.0
March 12, 2011
67 min
Sketches include March Madness Cold Open, partial Zach Monologue, The Talk, Comedy Tour, Scared Straight, Digital Short: Zach Looks for a New Assistant, Weekend Update, Canadian Entertainment Show, Corn Syrup Commercial, and Titanic.
Guest Stars:
Zach Galifianakis, Jessie J, Bobby Ray Simmons Jr.
18
E18
18. Elton John with Leon Russell
4.2
April 2, 2011
67 min
Sketches include Lawrence Welk Cold Open, Elton John Monologue, ESPN Classic: Ladies Shot Put, Knights of the Realm, An SNL Digital Short: Laser Cats #6, Elton John & Leon Russell: "Hey Ahab", Weekend Update, Elton Visits the Queen, and more.
Guest Stars:
Leon Russell, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tom Hanks, Will Forte, Elton John
19
E19
19. Helen Mirren with Foo Fighters
5.7
April 9, 2011
67 min
Sketches include Presidential Address Cold Open, Celebrity Taxes, An SNL Digital Short: Helen Mirren's Magic Bosom, Fox and Friends, Mary Shelley, Foo Fighters "Rope," Weekend Update, Underground Festival - Easter, The Roosevelts, and more.
Guest Stars:
Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett, Dave Grohl
20
E20
20. Tina Fey with Ellie Goulding
7.7
May 7, 2011
67 min
Sketches include Osama Cold Open, Mother's Message Monologue, GOP Debate, Mermaid, An SNL Digital Short: Jack Sparrow, Weekend Update, Birthing Class, Bedelia - Sleepover, Pregnant in Heels, Discount Prom Wear, and Hallmark Mother's Day.
Guest Stars:
Tina Fey, Jorma Taccone, Maya Rudolph, Darrell Hammond, Ellie Goulding
E21
21. Ed Helms with Paul Simon
6.0
May 14, 2011
67 min
Sketches include The Situation Room, Corn Syrup Producers of America, What up with that?, The Ambiguously Gay Duo: The Dark, Clenched Hole of Evil, Wild World, One-Take Tony, Ann-Margret Tries To Throw A Wad Of Paper Into A Trashcan, and A Republican Candidate.
Guest Stars:
Paul Simon, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Hamm, Steve Carell, Ed Helms
E22
22. Justin Timberlake with Lady Gaga
8.0
May 21, 2011
67 min
Sketches include Rikers Island, Liquorville, WXPD News, Three-Way (Digital Short), What's That Name?, Merry-Go-Love Tunnel, Secret Word and The Barry Gibbs Talk Show. Lady Gaga performs "The Edge of Glory", "Judas" and "Born This Way".
Guest Stars:
Lady Gaga, Patricia Clarkson, Susan Sarandon, Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake
