SNL season 43 premiere ratings strong, but short of last year
Perhaps McKinnon's most frequently recurring political figure of the moment, the Jeff Sessions of SNL continues to be taken to increasingly surreal places. There was, of course, the period when he was on Trump's chopping block, doing anything (even sitting on his lap) to get back in his good graces. But now we appear back to the elfish Southern caricature boasting a devious side (and a tail). Thank goodness.
Returning after a record-breaking season, Saturday Night Live is still going strong in the ratings.
The sketch comedy series’ season 43 premiere drew more than 7 million viewers and a 1.9 rating among adults 18-49 on Saturday, per Nielsen. The episode aired live on both the East and West coasts, following the broadcast pattern of last season’s final four installments, and will likely benefit in the ratings considerably from time-shifted viewing.
The viewership for this premiere marks a 15 percent decline from 2016’s season opener. That episode took place just five days after the first general election debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and featured Alec Baldwin’s much-hyped debut as Trump. It kicked off a landmark season for SNL, winning nine Emmys out of a show-record 22 nominations and netting its biggest overall viewership in 23 years.
Ryan Gosling hosted the premiere with musical guest Jay-Z.
