Matt Buckler: Jason Sudeikis gives 'SNL' a ratings jolt

Oct. 25—Guest hosts matter. At least it did for "Saturday Night Live" this week when it booked the red-hot Jason Sudeikis to host the show.

Sudeikis used to be a regular on "SNL," and the ratings usually rise when a familiar face returns.

Plus, Sudeikis is coming off an Emmy award for his starring role on "Ted Lasso," a streaming series that has become a conversation piece for viewers.

Sudeikis didn't disappoint, tying the series' high mark this season with a household rating of 3.7 in the nation's 41 major markets. That equalled the mark established when Kim Kardashian hosted the show earlier this year.

The show also did well in the 18-to-49 bracket, which is a key piece of the "SNL" audience.

Sudeikis also brought back his Joe Biden imitation, playing the Biden of eight years ago who meets up with the current Biden, who was played by James Austin Johnson.

It was a funny opening sketch, followed by other funny sketches. It had to remind viewers of one thing — how good Sudeikis was at his job.

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