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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!

Binge this in 23h 27m•Peaking at 8.1/10

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 by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 3 - Bill Hader with Hozier
    8.1/10(410 votes)

    S40:E3

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 16 - Dwayne Johnson with George Ezra
    7.9/10(280 votes)

    S40:E16

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 4 - Jim Carrey with Iggy Azalea
    7.6/10(393 votes)

    S40:E4

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 9 - Martin Freeman with Charli XCX
    7.5/10(277 votes)

    S40:E9

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 6 - Woody Harrelson with Kendrick Lamar
    7.3/10(278 votes)

    S40:E6

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 17 - Michael Keaton with Carly Rae Jepsen
    7.3/10(257 votes)

    S40:E17

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 21 - Louis C.K. with Rihanna
    7.3/10(226 votes)

    S40:E21

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 13 - J.K. Simmons with D'Angelo
    7.2/10(233 votes)

    S40:E13

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 15 - Chris Hemsworth with Zac Brown Band
    7.2/10(245 votes)

    S40:E15

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 10 - Amy Adams with One Direction
    7.0/10(259 votes)

    S40:E10

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 2 - Sarah Silverman with Maroon 5
    6.8/10(292 votes)

    S40:E2

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 11 - Kevin Hart with Sia
    6.8/10(239 votes)

    S40:E11

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 1 - Chris Pratt with Ariana Grande
    6.7/10(382 votes)

    S40:E1

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 8 - James Franco with Nicki Minaj
    6.5/10(262 votes)

    S40:E8

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 19 - Scarlett Johansson with Wiz Khalifa
    6.5/10(216 votes)

    S40:E19

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 5 - Chris Rock with Prince
    6.4/10(300 votes)

    S40:E5

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 20 - Reese Witherspoon with Florence and the Machine
    6.3/10(196 votes)

    S40:E20

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 7 - Cameron Diaz with Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson
    6.2/10(240 votes)

    S40:E7

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 14 - Dakota Johnson with Alabama Shakes
    6.1/10(287 votes)

    S40:E14

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 18 - Taraji P. Henson with Mumford & Sons
    6.0/10(222 votes)

    S40:E18

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Saturday Night Live Season 40 Episode 12 - Blake Shelton
    5.7/10(225 votes)

    S40:E12

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 40 Ratings Summary

"Bill Hader with Hozier" is the best rated episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 40. It scored 8.1/10 based on 410 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/11/2014. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Dwayne Johnson with George Ezra".