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The Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 40

Every episode of Saturday Night Live Season 40 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Saturday Night Live Season 40!

A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed...
Genres:ComedyNews
Network:NBC

Season 40 Ratings Summary

"Chris Pratt with Ariana Grande" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 40. It scored 6.6/10 based on 365 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 9/27/2014. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Sarah Silverman with Maroon 5".

  • Chris Pratt with Ariana Grande
    6.6/10365 votes

    #1 - Chris Pratt with Ariana Grande

    Season 40 Episode 1 - Aired 9/27/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Sarah Silverman with Maroon 5
    6.8/10276 votes

    #2 - Sarah Silverman with Maroon 5

    Season 40 Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Bill Hader with Hozier
    8.0/10390 votes

    #3 - Bill Hader with Hozier

    Season 40 Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Jim Carrey with Iggy Azalea
    7.6/10374 votes

    #4 - Jim Carrey with Iggy Azalea

    Season 40 Episode 4 - Aired 10/25/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chris Rock with Prince
    6.4/10282 votes

    #5 - Chris Rock with Prince

    Season 40 Episode 5 - Aired 11/1/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Woody Harrelson with Kendrick Lamar
    7.3/10264 votes

    #6 - Woody Harrelson with Kendrick Lamar

    Season 40 Episode 6 - Aired 11/15/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Cameron Diaz with Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson
    6.2/10227 votes

    #7 - Cameron Diaz with Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson

    Season 40 Episode 7 - Aired 11/22/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • James Franco with Nicki Minaj
    6.4/10249 votes

    #8 - James Franco with Nicki Minaj

    Season 40 Episode 8 - Aired 12/6/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Martin Freeman with Charli XCX
    7.4/10267 votes

    #9 - Martin Freeman with Charli XCX

    Season 40 Episode 9 - Aired 12/13/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Amy Adams with One Direction
    6.9/10245 votes

    #10 - Amy Adams with One Direction

    Season 40 Episode 10 - Aired 12/20/2014

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Kevin Hart with Sia
    6.7/10225 votes

    #11 - Kevin Hart with Sia

    Season 40 Episode 11 - Aired 1/17/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Blake Shelton
    5.7/10216 votes

    #12 - Blake Shelton

    Season 40 Episode 12 - Aired 1/24/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • J.K. Simmons with D'Angelo
    7.2/10220 votes

    #13 - J.K. Simmons with 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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dakota Johnson with Alabama Shakes
    6.1/10235 votes

    #14 - Dakota Johnson with Alabama Shakes

    Season 40 Episode 14 - Aired 2/28/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chris Hemsworth with Zac Brown Band
    7.2/10232 votes

    #15 - Chris Hemsworth with Zac Brown Band

    Season 40 Episode 15 - Aired 3/7/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dwayne Johnson with George Ezra
    7.9/10266 votes

    #16 - Dwayne Johnson with George Ezra

    Season 40 Episode 16 - Aired 3/28/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Michael Keaton with Carly Rae Jepsen
    7.3/10247 votes

    #17 - Michael Keaton with Carly Rae Jepsen

    Season 40 Episode 17 - Aired 4/4/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Taraji P. Henson with Mumford & Sons
    5.9/10213 votes

    #18 - Taraji P. Henson with Mumford & Sons

    Season 40 Episode 18 - Aired 4/11/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Scarlett Johansson with Wiz Khalifa
    6.5/10198 votes

    #19 - Scarlett Johansson with Wiz Khalifa

    Season 40 Episode 19 - Aired 5/2/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Reese Witherspoon with Florence and the Machine
    6.3/10181 votes

    #20 - Reese Witherspoon with Florence and the Machine

    Season 40 Episode 20 - Aired 5/9/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Louis C.K. with Rihanna
    7.2/10213 votes

    #21 - Louis C.K. with Rihanna

    Season 40 Episode 21 - Aired 5/16/2015

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A