Ratings: Saturday Night Live Hits 2-1/2 Year Highs With Host Eddie Murphy
Saturday Night Live did a lot more than “otay” in the ratings with former cast member Eddie Murphy‘s first hosting turn in 35 years.
Murphy, with musical guest Lizzo, drew 9.9 million total viewers and a 2.5 demo rating, surging 68 and 98 percent from this season’s averages to mark the sketch series’ best numbers since May 13, 2017 (when Melissa McCarthy hosted with musical guest HAIM).
Additionally, that 2.5 ties The Masked Singer’s season opener for the best demo number for any entertainment telecast this TV season — and it also makes the Dec. 21 SNL the top-rated comedy telecast since The Big Bang Theory’s series finale in May.
TVLine readers gave the highly anticipated Christmas episode an average grade of “A.” Murphy’s nostalgic trip back to Studio 8H certainly helped as the comedian and SNL vet revived such characters as the grumpy green Gumby, Buckwheat, Mister Robinson and Velvet Jones.
Murphy was an SNL cast member from 1980 to 1984. He was first brought on as a featured player for Season 6, then promoted to repertory status ahead of Season 7. He was just 19 years old when he got his start. At the time, that made him the youngest hire in SNL history. To this day, he is the only cast member to have hosted the show while he was still a regular (after his 48 Hrs. costar Nick Nolte called out sick in the fall of 1982).
Definitely the best episode of SNL I’ve seen in years. But I’m in my 40’s and watched Eddie on the show when I was a kid. I wonder what the young folks thought, who probably weren’t familiar with his old characters.
I had no idea who Gumby/ Mr. Robinson was and I thought he was hilarious as those characters. So much so that I decided to lock up the old sketches on youtube. Eddie’s SNL episode was the best one in years. He was brilliant!
I say let him have every Christmas episode, that would be a great new holiday tradition. Loved watching him break the cast members that shared scenes with him, especially Gumby on the Weekend Update.
I wanted to see Eddie’s Gumby on the Christmas special. I didn’t see it. I’m not a fan of the recent casts. Maybe I missed it. “Donnie and Marie!”
The seasons from 1975 until 2005 were the best. I gave up on it years ago, but did watch this episode. Eddie didn’t disappoint.
I think your memories are a little rosier than they should be. I’ve been rewatching several of the 70s episodes and there are quite a few skits that go on for like 9 minutes and are laugh-free.
Last night was the first time in years I watched SNL all way through. I miss the edgier jokes and spoofs of the former years. They need to go back to that and get some fresh talent.
Anyone notice that he said the S word in that holiday baking skit and that he caught himself realizing that it was live TV? I don’t like that word being said on tv but his reaction to it was funny
Words have as much power as you bestow. not to sh*t on your comment or anything…
How could a viewer be upset about one accidental curse word when the whole show was based on racial stereotyping? But I did love Larry David as Bernie Sanders.
I was really disappointed in Eddie Murphy’s return to SNL. I was expecting to LMAO but it didn’t happen. Polar Bear skit was the worst, not a very funny evening. Sorry Eddie you were a flop.
Ratings say otherwise. You do realize he didn’t write the skits right?
You’re a flop.
Ignore the other two replies to your comment. Regardless of what the ratings are or what other people may say you are entitled to your opinion. I personally thought it was only ok. I certainly didn’t bust out in uncontrollable laughter by any means, but I did laugh. I actually think Will Ferrell’s recent episode was funnier. I didn’t find Eddie’s constant screw ups with the cue cards very amusing. It was better than the average episode, which really isn’t saying much because I feel like SNL is going through a low period, which I contribute more to the writers and less to the talent.
Calling him a flop is erroneous. So get back on your white horse and ride out! Ratings so matter because his hosting scored them the highest in 2 1/2 years. Facts are facts vs your opinion.
I haven’t watched SNL in years but no way I was missing Eddie Murphy last night and it did not disappoint, Funny from start to finish and he is still one funny dude! The Gumby return was my favorite but Velvet Jones and Mr Robinson hilarious as well.
Loved it! Eddie was on point with every sketch. Political correctness as it used to be on SNL!
Loved it! Took me back to the good old days of SNL! Great moment when they were all together on stage at the beginning, after Eddie, during the opening of the show! Give us more!!!! We miss the funny! Welcome home Eddie!
the only thing I enjoyed was Gumby dammit and lizzo suck big time
I enjoyed seeing Eddie Murphy return on SNL. With the limited scripts of Black comedians on the show currently, Leslie Jones gone), it was great to see him host the show with the other well known comedians such as Dave Chappelle, Tracy Morgan, and Chris Rock. I’m in early 50’s in I remember the old skits by Eddie which were more funny than now. The more we see Eddie on stage I’m sure the younger generation will get hop on the band wagon like they do now with the old episodes of Martin, which are still hilarious today as they were in 1990’s. #Eddiemurphyisback.
He was sooo funny, seeing Buckwheat and his other characters again was wonderful :) I hope he comes back at least once a year from now on!
Hey Matt and TvLine, don’t you think it would be great if SNL would do periodic reunion shows with previous casts (including writers) . Or Even just an all 80s show or all 90s show! Gary Kroeger has said on Facebook that he would be up for it!. I wrote to SNL on Instagram but if you guys have any ins, you should make the recommendation! :)