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Saturday Night Live season 40

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"SNL 40" redirects here. For the show's 40th Anniversary Special, see Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special.
Saturday Night Live
Season 40
The title card for Saturday Night Live – season 40, showing New York skyscrapers.
No. of episodes21
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 27, 2014 (2014-09-27) –
May 16, 2015 (2015-05-16)
Season chronology
← Previous
season 39
Next →
season 41
List of episodes

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 came to a conclusion on May 16, 2015, with host Louis C.K. and musical guest Rihanna. Former cast member Darrell Hammond succeeded Don Pardo, who had died in August,[1] as the show's new announcer.[2] The premiere included an interstitial photograph of Pardo – SNL's announcer since it premiered in 1975 (with the exception of season 7 and episode 14 of season 21 – where Hammond took his place).[3]

This season was alternatively known as Saturday Night Live 40 and SNL40.

Cast

As part of an ongoing rebuilding process, which executive producer Lorne Michaels indicated would result in cast changes for the 2014–15 season,[4] a number of those changes were announced prior to the start of the season. Longtime cast member Nasim Pedrad, who had been on the show for five seasons since 2009, announced her departure in June 2014, as she was to star on the Lorne Michaels-produced sitcom Mulaney.[5] Following Pedrad's departure, featured players John Milhiser, Noël Wells, and Brooks Wheelan were all let go following the finale, after only one season with the cast.[6][7] Additionally, Mike O'Brien, a writer for the show for four seasons before joining the cast at the start of the previous season, returned to the writers' room for this season, which would be his last as a writer.[8] Despite his departure from the cast, O'Brien still made occasional appearances in several sketches throughout the season. Overall, of the eight cast members introduced during the previous season, only Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney, Colin Jost, and Sasheer Zamata returned. Bennett, Jost, Mooney and Zamata remained as featured players.

To fill the void following Pedrad, Milhiser, O'Brien, Wells, and Wheelan's departures, two comedians joined the cast at the start of the season: stand-up comic Pete Davidson, the first SNL cast member to have been born in the 1990s,[9] and former SNL writer Michael Che as a Weekend Update co-anchor, replacing Cecily Strong, who remained in the cast.[10] Che left SNL at the end of the previous season to become a correspondent on The Daily Show.[11] After making appearances on Weekend Update and in several sketches, writer Leslie Jones was promoted to the cast on October 20, 2014 as a featured player.[12]

Coinciding with the show's fortieth anniversary, SNL introduced a new logo created by design firm Pentagram.[13]

Cast roster

Writers

Main article: List of Saturday Night Live writers § season 40 (2014–15)

Prior to the start of the season, five new writers were hired:

This was the final season for Mike O'Brien, who joined the writing staff in 2009 and Claire Mulaney, who joined the staff in 2013, as well as the only season for writers Natasha Rothwell, Nick Rutherford, and Alison Rich.[17]

Episodes

Main article: List of Saturday Night Live episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		HostMusical guest(s)Original air dateRatings/
Share
7671Chris PrattAriana GrandeSeptember 27, 2014 (2014-09-27)4.0/10[18]
7682Sarah SilvermanMaroon 5October 4, 2014 (2014-10-04)3.9/10[19]
7693Bill HaderHozierOctober 11, 2014 (2014-10-11)3.8/10[20]
7704Jim CarreyIggy AzaleaOctober 25, 2014 (2014-10-25)4.1/10[21]
7715Chris RockPrinceNovember 1, 2014 (2014-11-01)4.9/10[22]
7726Woody HarrelsonKendrick LamarNovember 15, 2014 (2014-11-15)4.1/10[23]
7737Cameron DiazMark Ronson & Bruno MarsNovember 22, 2014 (2014-11-22)4.1/10[24]
7748James FrancoNicki MinajDecember 6, 2014 (2014-12-06)4.4/10[25]
7759Martin FreemanCharli XCXDecember 13, 2014 (2014-12-13)3.9/10[26]
77610Amy AdamsOne DirectionDecember 20, 2014 (2014-12-20)4.0/10[27]
77711Kevin HartSiaJanuary 17, 2015 (2015-01-17)4.1/10[28]
77812Blake SheltonBlake SheltonJanuary 24, 2015 (2015-01-24)4.7/10[29]
77913J. K. SimmonsD'AngeloJanuary 31, 2015 (2015-01-31)4.3/10[30]
78014Dakota JohnsonAlabama ShakesFebruary 28, 2015 (2015-02-28)3.8/9[31]
78115Chris HemsworthZac Brown BandMarch 7, 2015 (2015-03-07)4.0/10[32]
78216Dwayne JohnsonGeorge EzraMarch 28, 2015 (2015-03-28)3.7/9[33]
78317Michael KeatonCarly Rae JepsenApril 4, 2015 (2015-04-04)3.7/9[34]
78418Taraji P. HensonMumford & SonsApril 11, 2015 (2015-04-11)3.8/10[35]
78519Scarlett JohanssonWiz KhalifaMay 2, 2015 (2015-05-02)3.4/9[36]
78620Reese WitherspoonFlorence + the MachineMay 9, 2015 (2015-05-09)3.7/10[37]
78721Louis C.K.RihannaMay 16, 2015 (2015-05-16)3.8/10[38]

Specials

TitleOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
"SNL's NFL Saturday"January 31, 2015 (2015-01-31)3.80[39]
"An SNL Valentine"February 14, 2015 (2015-02-14)N/A
"SNL 40th Red Carpet Live"February 15, 2015 (2015-02-15)N/A
"Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special"February 15, 2015 (2015-02-15)23.1 (Live+SD); 26.5 (Live+3)[1]; 5.1 million (repeat)[2])[40]

References

  1. ^ Genzlinger, Neil; Carter, Bill (August 19, 2014). "Don Pardo, the Voice of 'Saturday Night Live,' Dies at 96". The New York Times. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference hammond was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Patches, Matt (August 21, 2014). "Darrell Hammond Remembers Don Pardo, the Voice of SNL". Grantland.
  4. ^ "Lorne Michaels: More 'SNL' cast changes coming". CNN. June 13, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014. Lorne Michaels says that Saturday Night Live can expect cast changes before its 40th season begins in September. In an interview with Deadline, the creator and longtime executive producer of NBC's late-night sketch show said, 'We're still in the middle of rebuilding. So there will be changes this year.'
  5. ^ "Nasim Pedrad implies that she's leaving 'Saturday Night Live'". Erin Strecker. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  6. ^ "Noël Wells & John Milhiser Also Leaving 'SNL', Michael Patrick O'Brien Future Unclear". Nellie Andreeva. July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  7. ^ "Brooks Wheelan states he was fired from Saturday Night Live". NY Daily News. July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  8. ^ "Mike O'Brien will not return as an 'SNL' player this season". Esther Zuckerman. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  9. ^ "Pete Davidson Joins 'Saturday Night Live' As New Featured Player". Deadline. September 15, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference che was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "'The Daily Show' hires 'SNL' writer Michael Che as correspondent". EW.com. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 20, 2014). "Leslie Jones Named 'Saturday Night Live' Cast Member". Deadline. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  13. ^ "Saturday Night Live 40th Season". Pentagram. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  14. ^ "Alison Rich Hired as a Writer at 'SNL'". Splitsider. August 28, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  15. ^ McCarthy, Sean L. (September 9, 2014). "SNL hires Nick Rutherford to reunite, write with his Good Neighbor mates". The Comic's Comic.
  16. ^ a b c Wright, Megh (September 9, 2014). "Natasha Rothwell, Streeter Seidell, and Jeremy Beiler Join 'SNL's Writing Staff". Splitsider. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  17. ^ Wright, Megh (September 21, 2015). "Meet 'Saturday Night Live's Six New Writers". Splitsider. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  18. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (September 28, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' Season Premiere With Host Chris Pratt and Musical Guest Ariana Grande Even With Last Season's Finale". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  19. ^ Bibel, Sara (October 5, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Sarah Silverman and Musical Guest Maroon 5 Down From Last Week's Premiere". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  20. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 12, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Bill Hader and Musical Guest Hozier Down From Last Week". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  21. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 26, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Jim Carrey and Musical Guest Iggy Azalea Hits Highest Adults 18-49 Rating Since April". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  22. ^ Bibel, Sara (November 2, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Chris Rock and Musical Guest Prince Hits Highest Adults 18-49 Rating Since February". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  23. ^ Bibel, Sara (November 16, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Woody Harrelson and Musical Guest Kendrick Lamar Matches Highest Adults 18-49 Rating This Season". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  24. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 23, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Cameron Diaz and Musical Guests Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars Down From Last Week". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 25, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  25. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (December 7, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host James Franco and Musical Guest Nicki Minaj Rises From Last Original". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  26. ^ Bibel, Sara (December 14, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Martin Freeman and Musical Guest Charli XCX Down from Most Recent Episodes". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  27. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (December 21, 2014). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Amy Adams and Musical Guest One Direction Even With Last Week". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  28. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (January 18, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Kevin Hart and Musical Guest Sia Flat With Last Original". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  29. ^ Bibel, Sara (January 25, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host and Musical Guest Blake Shelton Up From Last Original". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  30. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 1, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host J.K. Simmons and Musical Guest D'Angelo Down From Last Week". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  31. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 1, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Dakota Johnson and Musical Guest Alabama Shakes Down From Last Original". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  32. ^ Bibel, Sara (March 8, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Chris Hemsworth and Musical Guest Zac Brown Band Up From Last Original". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  33. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 29, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Dwayne Johnson and Musical Guest George Ezra Down From Last Original". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  34. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 5, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Michael Keaton and Musical Guest Carly Rae Jepsen Up From Last Week". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 8, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  35. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 12, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Taraji P Henson and Musical Guest Mumford and Sons Down From Last Week". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  36. ^ Bibel, Sara (May 3, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Scarlett Johansson and Musical Wiz Khalifa Down From Prior Episode". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  37. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (May 10, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Reese Witherspoon and Musical Guest Florence + The Machine Earns Highest Adults 18-49 Rating Since January". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  38. ^ Bibel, Sara (May 17, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Louis C.K. & Musical Guest Rihanna Down from Last Week". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  39. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 1, 2015). "TV Ratings Saturday: 'NFL Honors' Up Year-to-Year + 'Red Band Society' Makes Weak Saturday Debut". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  40. ^ Hibberd, James (February 16, 2015). "SNL anniversary breaks NBC ratings records". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
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