Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 2014–15


The following is a list of recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced during the fortieth season of SNL, which began on September 27, 2014.

''Hollywood Game Night''

A parody of the TV quiz show of the same name, with host Jane Lynch continually irritated by the cluelessness of the celebrity participants.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40October 11, 2014Bill HaderBill Hader as Al Pacino, Kristen Wiig as Kathie Lee Gifford, Beck Bennett as Nick Offerman, Cecily Strong as Sofía Vergara, Jay Pharoah as Morgan Freeman, Taran Killam as Christoph Waltz.
40April 11, 2015Taraji P. HensonTaraji P. Henson as Wanda Sykes, Beck Bennett as Nick Offerman, Aidy Bryant as Wynonna Judd, Taran Killam as Vin Diesel, Jay Pharoah as Common, Cecily Strong as Marion Cotillard

''How 2 Dance With Janelle''

Janelle's YouTube dance show is interrupted by her parents, concerned about the sexual nature of the videos and the presence of her obviously aroused friend Teddy.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40November 1, 2014Chris RockWith Chris Rock as Janelle's father.
40April 11, 2015Taraji P. HensonWith Taraji P. Henson as Janelle's mother.

High school theater show

A high school theater troupe attempts to open its audience's eyes and tackle big subjects during a very self-aggrandizing play.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40November 22, 2014Cameron Diaz
40May 9, 2015Reese Witherspoon
41November 14, 2015Elizabeth Banks
41May 21, 2016Fred Armisen
42December 3, 2016Emma Stone

Cathy Anne

A chain-smoking and disheveled woman played by Cecily Strong who serves as friend and mentor to various fairy-tale characters. She transitioned to Weekend Update appearances at the beginning of season 42.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40December 6, 2014James FrancoCathy Anne advises a bridge troll to ask for a kiss instead of riddles.
40February 28, 2015Dakota JohnsonCathy Anne chaperones Cinderella during the royal ball.
42October 1, 2016Margot Robbie
42December 10, 2016John Cena
42May 13, 2017Melissa McCarthy
SEAugust 24, 2017n/aCathy Anne talks about the rise of Neo-Nazi sentiment
43December 9, 2017James FrancoCathy Anne discusses sexual harassment allegations against "Al Franco" and Roy Moore.
44January 26, 2019James McAvoy
45February 8, 2020RuPaul

''Right Side Of The Bed!''

A morning talk-show presented by husband and wife Cory and Gracelynn Chisholm. Awkward moments abound when the camera regularly cuts to guests pressured to be entertaining.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40December 13, 2014Martin FreemanThe guests are local contractor Louie Dulux, producer Emily Margine, and singer Keith Urban.
40May 2, 2015Scarlett JohanssonThe guests are caterer Daniela DeNotta DiPasquale and singer Hozier.
41November 21, 2015Matthew McConaugheyThe guests are chef Buster Littles and singer Ed Sheeran.

Heather, a one-dimensional female character from a male-driven comedy

embodies all the clichés of the female love interest during Weekend Update.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40December 13, 2014Martin FreemanHeather talks about female roles in Hollywood films.
40January 31, 2015J. K. SimmonsHeather talks about Super Bowl XLIX.
41April 16, 2016Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Treece Henderson and his band

, Kyle Mooney and the episode's host play a band who perform gigs at a series of lodges, hotels and dive bars, with Treece alternating between singing an energetic jazz-funk song and onstage banter that inappropriately delves into the private life of the host's character, who is reluctant to discuss a vague, but serious-sounding issue.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40December 13, 2014Martin FreemanThe band plays a Christmas gig at the Pine River Lounge. Freeman's character, Isaac Newberry, plays tenor sax. Beck Bennett and Vanessa Bayer play audience members. Also featuring Taran Killam as Roman, a mysterious enemy of Newberry
43September 30, 2017Ryan GoslingThe band plays a pre-Football game gig at a Dive Bar. Gosling's character, Larry Fontanelle, plays flute. Beck Bennett and Heidi Gardner play audience members. Also featuring Leslie Jones as a DuTrisha, Treece's girlfriend. Mooney's character is called Raj here.
44October 13, 2018Seth MeyersThe band plays a Halloween at a Residence Inn by Marriott. Meyers's character, Jenks Stuplox, plays piccolo. Leslie Jones and Chris Redd play audience members.
45December 21, 2019Eddie MurphyMurphy's character, Spencer Newcherry, plays keytar. Mooney's character, Brad Dates, subsequently plays a digital wind instrument, referred to by Treece as a clarinet. Heidi Gardner and Mikey Day play audience members. This sketch was cut for time, but later released online.

Willie

's neighbor who is an overtly optimistic man who appears on Weekend Update and is played by Kenan Thompson
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40December 20, 2014Amy Adams
40March 28, 2015Dwayne Johnson
40May 9, 2015Reese Witherspoon
41October 17, 2015Tracy Morgan
41January 23, 2016Ronda Rousey
41May 21, 2016Fred Armisen
42November 19, 2016Kristen Wiig
43February 3, 2018Natalie Portman

Frida Santini

Weekend update character played by Kate McKinnon. She is a middle age woman who lives in Colin Jost's building and writes passive-aggressive notes to her neighbors.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40January 17, 2015Kevin Hart
41October 10, 2015Amy Schumer

''Hunk sketches''

A parody of the reality TV show The Bachelor, in which a single man must find true love with a contestant of his choosing.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40January 24, 2015Blake SheltonFarm Hunk
41January 23, 2016Ronda RouseyBland Man
42January 14, 2017Felicity JonesBeard Hunk
43January 20, 2018Jessica ChastainCar Hunk
44January 26, 2019James McAvoyVirgin Hunk
45February 1, 2020J. J. WattPilot Hunk

Riblet

's high school friend, played by Bobby Moynihan. He likes to interrupt Che during Weekend Update and make fun of how easy reading cue cards is.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40January 24, 2015Blake Shelton
40February 28, 2015Dakota Johnson
40May 16, 2015Louis C.K.
41March 12, 2016Ariana Grande

Totino's lady

An unnamed spokeswoman for Totino's would do anything for her "hungry guys". But while her "hungry guys" are watching the Super Bowl, she is doing things of her own.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40January 31, 2015J. K. SimmonsThe Totino's lady keeps herself entertained by a box of toys.
41February 6, 2016Larry DavidIn a parody of The X Files, the "hungry guys" become possessed.
42February 4, 2017Kristen StewartIn a parody of Blue is the Warmest Colour, the Totino's lady begins a lesbian relationship with a woman named Sabine.

''Brother 2 Brother''

A Disney Channel sitcom based around two twin students played by Taran Killam and Chris Hemsworth. When Marky switches places in class with his much more muscular brother Matty, no one falls for it...
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40March 7, 2015Chris HemsworthMath class
41December 12, 2015Chris HemsworthWrestling meet

''The House''

A parody of The Real World and other reality TV shows starring Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney and the episode's host as castmembers/houseguests.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40March 7, 2015Chris HemsworthAlso starring Taran Killam.
42May 6, 2017Chris PineAlso starring Pete Davidson.
43January 27, 2018Will FerrellAlso starring Tracy Morgan and Heidi Gardner.

Gerard, a former acting coach on ''The Jeffersons''

Gerard, a movie director, is convinced that the drama he is shooting will be more powerful and moving if his actors act like they're in a broad 70's sitcom.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40March 7, 2015Chris HemsworthShooting of the movie Love at first scene.
41December 19, 2015Tina Fey and Amy PoehlerShooting of the movie Sarah's desire.
43January 20, 2018Jessica ChastainShooting of the movie Justice for Ann.

Gemma

Gene and his wife bump into a former acquaintance of Gene's, accompanied by his girlfriend, aspiring British singer Gemma. The boyfriend makes the couple uncomfortable by making relentlessly inappropriate comments about Gemma's attractiveness, while Gene is too scared to ask them to leave.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40March 28, 2015Dwayne JohnsonDinner date. Gemma shares an extract from her single Banana.
40May 16, 2015Louis C.K.Couples retreat. Gemma briefly sings a part of her single Vacay.
42November 5, 2016Benedict CumberbatchBobby Flay's Steakhouse In Atlantic City. Gemma's song is called Magic.
42May 20, 2017Dwayne "The Rock" JohnsonJurassic Park River Rapids. Gemma's latest single is called Dynamite
44December 8, 2018Jason MomoaSleigh Ride. Gene is with his new girlfriend

The Janet Johnson-Luna Civil Trial

32-year-old Janet Johnson-Luna is prosecuted for having sex with 16-year-old student Gavin Daly. His mother is suing Luna on behalf of Gavin for emotional damage, but Gavin's testimony only proves how nontraumatic the experience was for him. Also featured in the sketch are Kenan Thompson as the judge, Bobby Moynihan as Gavin's father, and Beck Bennett and Aidy Bryant as reporters Bill Arnold and Paula Abbott.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40April 11, 2015Taraji P. HensonHenson plays the prosecutor.
41January 23, 2016Ronda RouseyTeacher Kara Torkelson is tried alongside Janet Johnson-Luna. Taran Killam plays the prosecutor.

Kinky Elves

Elves purposefully botch their jobs and gleefully wait for their master to give them the punishment they deserve and desire.
SeasonEpisodeHostNotes
40May 16, 2015Louis C.K.Elves work for a shoemaker
41December 5, 2015Ryan GoslingThey work for Santa
42December 17, 2016Casey AffleckThey work for Mrs. Claus