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 (played by Kate McKinnon) continually irritated by the cluelessness of the celebrity participants.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	October 11, 2014	Bill Hader	Bill 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.
40	April 11, 2015	Taraji P. Henson	Taraji 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 (Sasheer Zamata) 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 Paskowitz (Kyle Mooney).

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	November 1, 2014	Chris Rock	With Chris Rock as Janelle's father.
40	April 11, 2015	Taraji P. Henson	With 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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	November 22, 2014	Cameron Diaz
40	May 9, 2015	Reese Witherspoon
41	November 14, 2015	Elizabeth Banks
41	May 21, 2016	Fred Armisen
42	December 3, 2016	Emma Stone

Cathy Anne Vanderbilt

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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	December 6, 2014	James Franco	Cathy Anne advises a bridge troll (James Franco) to ask for a kiss instead of riddles.
40	February 28, 2015	Dakota Johnson	Cathy Anne chaperones Cinderella (Dakota Johnson) during the royal ball.
42	October 1, 2016	Margot Robbie
42	December 10, 2016	John Cena
42	May 13, 2017	Melissa McCarthy
SE	August 24, 2017	n/a	Cathy Anne talks about the rise of Neo-Nazi sentiment
43	December 9, 2017	James Franco	Cathy Anne discusses sexual harassment allegations against "Al Franco" (Al Franken) and Roy Moore.
44	January 26, 2019	James McAvoy
45	February 8, 2020	RuPaul
46	January 30, 2021	John Krasinski
48	December 17, 2022	Austin Butler	Made as a send-off to Strong, who left the show following this episode.

Right Side of the Bed!

An Atlanta based morning talk-show presented by husband and wife Cory and Gracelynn Chisholm (Taran Killam and Cecily Strong). Awkward moments abound when the camera regularly cuts to guests pressured to be entertaining. The sketch is a spoof of the reality show Chrisley Knows Best.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	December 13, 2014	Martin Freeman	The guests are local contractor Louie Dulux (Freeman), producer Emily Margine (Aidy Bryant), and singer Keith Urban (Kate McKinnon).
40	May 2, 2015	Scarlett Johansson	The guests are caterer Daniela DeNotta DiPasquale (Johansson) and singer Hozier (Kate McKinnon).
41	November 21, 2015	Matthew McConaughey	The guests are chef Buster Littles (McConaughey) and singer Ed Sheeran (Kate McKinnon).

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

Cecily Strong embodies all the clichés of the female love interest during Weekend Update.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	December 13, 2014	Martin Freeman	Heather talks about female roles in Hollywood films.
40	January 31, 2015	J. K. Simmons	Heather talks about Super Bowl XLIX.
41	April 16, 2016	Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Treece Henderson and his band

Kenan Thompson (as vocalist Treece Henderson), Kyle Mooney (as keyboard player Brad Dates) and the episode's host (as a woodwind player who is also Treece's roommate) 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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	December 13, 2014	Martin Freeman	The 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
43	September 30, 2017	Ryan Gosling	The 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 DuTrisha, Treece's girlfriend. Mooney's character is called Raj here.
44	October 13, 2018	Seth Meyers	The 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.
45	December 21, 2019	Eddie Murphy	Murphy'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.
47	May 21, 2022	Natasha Lyonne	Lyonne's character, Cassie Marie, plays harmonica. Mooney's character, Brad Dates, subsequently plays a keyboard. Cecily Strong's character Helen is a dancer. Chloe Fineman and Bowen Yang play audience members.

Willie

Michael Che's neighbor who is an overtly optimistic man who appears on Weekend Update and is played by Kenan Thompson

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	December 20, 2014	Amy Adams
40	March 28, 2015	Dwayne Johnson
40	May 9, 2015	Reese Witherspoon
41	October 17, 2015	Tracy Morgan
41	January 23, 2016	Ronda Rousey
41	May 21, 2016	Fred Armisen
42	November 19, 2016	Kristen Wiig
43	February 3, 2018	Natalie Portman
46	December 19, 2020	Kristen Wiig

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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	January 17, 2015	Kevin Hart
41	October 10, 2015	Amy 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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	January 24, 2015	Blake Shelton	Farm Hunk (Shelton plays a parody of Season 19's bachelor Chris Soules)
41	January 23, 2016	Ronda Rousey	Bland Man (Taran Killam plays a parody of Season 20's bachelor Ben Higgins)
42	January 14, 2017	Felicity Jones	Beard Hunk (Beck Bennett plays a parody of Season 21's bachelor Nick Viall)
43	January 20, 2018	Jessica Chastain	Car Hunk (Alex Moffat—and, briefly, Luke Null—play a parody of Season 22's bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr.)
44	January 26, 2019	James McAvoy	Virgin Hunk (McAvoy plays a parody of Season 23's bachelor Colton Underwood)
45	February 1, 2020	J. J. Watt	Pilot Hunk (Watt plays a parody of Season 24's bachelor Peter Weber)

Riblet

Michael Che'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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	January 24, 2015	Blake Shelton
40	February 28, 2015	Dakota Johnson
40	May 16, 2015	Louis C.K.
41	March 12, 2016	Ariana Grande

Totino's lady

An unnamed spokeswoman for Totino's (Vanessa Bayer) would do anything for her "hungry guys". But while her "hungry guys" are watching the Super Bowl, she is doing things of her own.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	January 31, 2015	J. K. Simmons	The Totino's lady keeps herself entertained by a box of toys.
41	February 6, 2016	Larry David	In a parody of The X Files, the "hungry guys" become possessed.
42	February 4, 2017	Kristen Stewart	In a parody of Blue is the Warmest Colour, the Totino's lady begins a lesbian relationship with a woman named Sabine (Stewart).

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...

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	March 7, 2015	Chris Hemsworth	Math class
41	December 12, 2015	Chris Hemsworth	Wrestling 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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	March 7, 2015	Chris Hemsworth	Also starring Taran Killam.
42	May 6, 2017	Chris Pine	Also starring Pete Davidson.
43	January 27, 2018	Will Ferrell	Also starring Tracy Morgan and Heidi Gardner.

Gerard, a former acting coach on The Jeffersons

Gerard, a movie director (Kenan Thompson), 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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	March 7, 2015	Chris Hemsworth	Shooting of the movie Love at first scene.
41	December 19, 2015	Tina Fey and Amy Poehler	Shooting of the movie Sarah's desire.
43	January 20, 2018	Jessica Chastain	Shooting of the movie Justice for Ann.

Gemma

Gene Diradusio and his wife Lisa (Kenan Thompson and Vanessa Bayer) bump into a former acquaintance of Gene's, accompanied by his girlfriend, aspiring British singer Gemma (Cecily Strong). 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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	March 28, 2015	Dwayne Johnson	Dinner date. Gemma shares an extract from her single Banana.
40	May 16, 2015	Louis C.K.	Couples retreat. Gemma briefly sings a part of her single Vacay.
42	November 5, 2016	Benedict Cumberbatch	Bobby Flay's Steakhouse In Atlantic City. Gemma's song is called Magic.
42	May 20, 2017	Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson	Jurassic Park River Rapids. Gemma's latest single is called Dynamite
44	December 8, 2018	Jason Momoa	Sleigh Ride. Gene is with his new girlfriend (Leslie Jones)
46	May 15, 2021	Keegan-Michael Key

The Janet Johnson-Luna Civil Trial

32-year-old Janet Johnson-Luna (Cecily Strong) is prosecuted for having sex with 16-year-old student Gavin Daly (Pete Davidson). His mother (Kate McKinnon) 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.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	April 11, 2015	Taraji P. Henson	Henson plays the prosecutor.
41	January 23, 2016	Ronda Rousey	Teacher Kara Torkelson (Rousey) is tried alongside Janet Johnson-Luna. Taran Killam plays the prosecutor.

Kinky Elves

Elves (Kenan Thompson, Vanessa Bayer, and, in the final two skits, the episode's host) purposefully botch their jobs and gleefully wait for their master to give them the punishment they deserve and desire.

Season	Episode	Host	Notes
40	May 16, 2015	Louis C.K.	Elves work for a shoemaker (Louis C.K.)
41	December 5, 2015	Ryan Gosling	They work for Santa (Bobby Moynihan)
42	December 17, 2016	Casey Affleck	They work for Mrs. Claus (Aidy Bryant)

References

Preceded by Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 2013–14

Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches (listed chronologically)

Succeeded by Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 2015–16