‘Saturday Night Live’ Ratings Rise With Host John Mulaney

Writer-comedian John Mulaney’s second turn as host of Saturday Night Live delivered a 4.7 Live+same day household rating in the metered markets and a 1.9 adults 18-49 rating in the markets with local people meters last night. The episode, featuring musical guest Thomas Rhett, Ben Stiller reprising his Michael Cohen impersonation and a return of former SNL star Bill Hader, was up from the show’s most recent original two weeks ago, which was hosted by Don Cheadle with musical guest Gary Clark Jr. and Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump (4.3, 1.6).

Last night’s show matched the delivery of last month’s episode hosted by young singer Halsey (also 4.7, 1.9), with both tying for SNL’s second highest metered-market ratings since the show’s Septenber season premiere, trailing over that span only the Dec. 15, 2018 holiday edition (hosted by Matt Damon with musical guests Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus, 4.8 in MM households, 2.0 in 18-49 in the local people meters).

Mulaney, one of only three former SNL writers to return as host, along with Larry David and Conan O’Brien, is building a nice side career out of on-air appearances. His first stint as SNL host was well received, as was his recent skit with Pete Davidson on Weekend Update and his presenting stint at the Oscars alongside comedian and fellow SNL host Awkwafina.

NBC’s Saturday Night Live was the #1 telecast of the night on the Big 4 networks in metered-market households, topping all primetime shows on those nets in both categories, including ABC’s primetime Warriors-76ers NBA Basketball coverage.