The 50th season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” has drawn in over 5 million viewers, marking its best season opener since 2020. The show’s return has made a strong impact in ratings and set a new record for the streaming service Peacock.
According to NBC, 5.3 million people tuned in to watch the live premiere, surpassing the viewership of previous seasons. The last time the show saw such high numbers was in 2020, when Alec Baldwin portrayed then-President Donald Trump, and Chris Rock hosted alongside musical guest Megan Thee Stallion.
The season opener featured former cast members in a skit about the current U.S. presidential race, with Maya Rudolph taking on the role of Kamala Harris and Dana Carvey portraying President Joe Biden. This episode has become the most-watched “SNL” premiere on Peacock during its first weekend, as confirmed by NBC.
The 50th season premiere was hosted by Jean Smart, and country artist Jelly Roll performed as the musical guest. The opening sketch provided a glimpse of what may come in the upcoming season, with Andy Samberg returning to play Harris’ husband and Jim Gaffigan portraying Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
The first-ever episode of “Saturday Night Live” aired on October 11, 1975, with Lorne Michaels as the creator, a role he continues to hold. The show introduced its inaugural cast known as the ‘Not Ready for Prime Time Players,’ including Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, and Garrett Morris.
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host the next episode of “SNL,” with Coldplay set to appear as the musical guest. In celebration of the show’s anniversary, NBC will broadcast a special three-hour live event on February 16.
The continued success and viewership of “Saturday Night Live” reflect its enduring popularity and impact on comedy entertainment over the past five decades. With each season, the show continues to attract a wide audience and deliver memorable performances and skits that resonate with viewers.