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
E1
1. Chris Pratt with Ariana Grande
6.5
September 27, 2014
67 min
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.
Chris Pratt, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Mikey Day, Anna Faris
E2
2. Sarah Silverman with Maroon 5
7.0
October 4, 2014
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Adam Levine, Sarah Silverman, Michael Patrick O'Brien, Jesse Carmichael, James Valentine
E3
3. Bill Hader with Hozier
7.3
October 11, 2014
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Bill Hader, Hozier, Kristen Wiig, Akira Yoshimura, Mikey Day
E4
4. Jim Carrey with Iggy Azalea
6.4
October 25, 2014
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Iggy Azalea, Jim Carrey, Rita Ora, MØ, Jeff Daniels
E5
5. Chris Rock with Prince
6.8
November 1, 2014
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Prince, Chris Rock, Hannah Welton, Donna Grantis, Kristine Nielsen
E6
6. Woody Harrelson with Kendrick Lamar
7.7
November 15, 2014
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Kendrick Lamar, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, Chantal Kreviazuk, Jay Rock
E7
7. Cameron Diaz with Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson
7.0
November 22, 2014
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Bruno Mars, Cameron Diaz, Mark Ronson, Mystikal
E8
8. James Franco with Nicki Minaj
7.2
December 6, 2014
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
James Franco, Nicki Minaj, Michael Patrick O'Brien, Seth Rogen, Skylar Grey
E9
9. Martin Freeman with Charli XCX
6.4
December 13, 2014
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Martin Freeman, Charli xcx, Frank Anello
E10
10. Amy Adams with One Direction
7.8
December 20, 2014
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Amy Adams, Fred Armisen, Louis Tomlinson
E11
11. Kevin Hart with Sia
6.3
January 17, 2015
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Sia, Kevin Hart, Maddie Ziegler
E12
12. Blake Shelton
January 24, 2015
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Blake Shelton
E13
13. J.K. Simmons with D'Angelo
January 31, 2015
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
J.K. Simmons, D'Angelo, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen, Michael Patrick O'Brien
E14
14. Dakota Johnson with Alabama Shakes
5.0
February 28, 2015
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Dakota Johnson, Heath Fogg, Brittany Howard, Steve Johnson, Zac Cockrell
E15
15. Chris Hemsworth with Zac Brown Band
March 7, 2015
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Chris Hemsworth, Liam Hemsworth, Chris Cornell, Zac Brown, John Driskell Hopkins
E16
16. Dwayne Johnson with George Ezra
March 28, 2015
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
George Ezra, Dwayne Johnson
E17
17. Michael Keaton with Carly Rae Jepsen
April 4, 2015
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Carly Rae Jepsen, Michael Keaton, Michael Patrick O'Brien, Norman Reedus
E18
18. Taraji P. Henson with Mumford & Sons
April 11, 2015
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Taraji P. Henson, Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, Winston Marshall, Ben Lovett
E19
19. Scarlett Johansson with Wiz Khalifa
May 2, 2015
67 min
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.
Guest Stars:
Wiz Khalifa, Scarlett Johansson, Charlie Puth
E20
20. Reese Witherspoon with Florence and the Machine
May 9, 2015
67 min
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.
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.
