Ep 1. Chris Pratt/Ariana Grande

Chris Pratt/Ariana Grande marks the return of Saturday Night Live season 40 with plenty of humor, celebrity impersonations, and memorable musical performances. The episode kicks off with Pratt delivering his opening monologue, discussing his rise to fame since his days as a waiter on Sunset Boulevard. The Guardians of the Galaxy star also shares some amusing anecdotes about filming his upcoming movie, Jurassic World.

One of the standout sketches of the night is a spoof of Marvel's superhero movies. Pratt reprises his role as Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy, teaming up with other Avengers to fight an unexpected foe: "Chad," an office worker played by Bobby Moynihan. The sketch is a great example of the show's ability to blend humor with pop culture references, and the cast members' spot-on impersonations of Iron Man, Black Widow, and Thor are sure to make fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe chuckle.

Another hilarious moment of the episode is a parody of Sesame Street, featuring Pratt as Jason Mraz and Aidy Bryant as "Murray-etta." The sketch skewers the typical structure of Sesame Street by showing what happens when a character goes off-script and begins a romantic relationship with a pop singer. The bit is a perfect showcase for Pratt's comedic skills and demonstrates the writers' ability to take a familiar children's show and turn it into something adults can enjoy.

Of course, no episode of SNL is complete without its Weekend Update segment, and season 40's premiere is no exception. Co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che provide their typical blend of biting satire and cultural commentary, delving into topics such as the Ebola outbreak, the NFL's handling of domestic violence cases, and the recent celebrity nude photo leak. One of the highlights of the segment is a bit featuring Moynihan as the hapless "Anthony Crispino," who delivers hilariously inaccurate gossip about current events.

Rounding out the show are musical performances from Ariana Grande, who delivers impressive renditions of her hits "Break Free" and "Love Me Harder." The pint-sized pop star's powerful vocals and contagious energy make her a perfect fit for the SNL stage, and her performances are a highlight of the episode.

Overall, Chris Pratt/Ariana Grande is a strong start to Saturday Night Live season 40, showcasing the series' ability to remain relevant and entertaining after four decades on the air. From Pratt's opening monologue to Grande's show-stopping musical performances, the episode is full of laughs and memorable moments that are sure to delight longtime fans and newcomers alike.