NVCJ.K. Simmons, who is nominated for a 2015 Oscar for playing an abusive music conductor in Whiplash, channeled his onscreen character while hosting Saturday Night Live.
He also showcased his rapping talents, got harassed by a computer program and won Career Day with a VERY weird profession. The musical performer was D'Angelo and SNL alumni Jason Sudeikis and Fred Armisen made cameos.
In his monologue, Simmons noted some of his other known roles—he provided the voice of the yellow M'M in an M'Ms commercial and is also featured in many Farmers Insurance ads. Check out five highlights from the show.
1. J.K. Simmons goes all Whiplash on the SNL stars
In his monologue, he pretended to abuse several of the show's performers, channeling his character in Whiplash as they attempt to drum. Armisen, a seasoned musician, makes a cameo.
Leslie Jones wasn't having it and shut. Him. Down.
2. Teacher Snow Day
Apparently, some serious hijinks ensued among these school teachers when last week's blizzard hit the East Coast. Simmons plays a principal who is reeeeally embracing his freedom from work. And he raps too!
3. The Jay Z story
Simmons plays rapper Nas in a sketch parodying Jay Z's life story. Sudeikis makes a cameo.
4. DIE PUSHIE!
Simmons plays an elderly man who is not that computer savvy and makes the common mistake of allowing a cheerful, annoying, "Clippy"-like Microsoft Word Assistant avatar, Pushie, played by Bobby Moynihan, to ruin his life while attempting to draft a letter. OK, that's an exaggeration. Kinda.
Aidy Bryant plays his wife, who tries to help him. Pushie tells Simmons he can opt to disable, or rather, "murder" him, but then presents a compelling argument for why he should spare his life.
5. Career Day
Simmons plays a father of a student who comes to Career Day at his school to talk about what he does for a living and has a very captivated audience...for good reason. Jones, playing a veterinarian, is particularly entranced.