The 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” is making waves in the entertainment world, kicking off with record-breaking ratings and a strong start on the streaming service Peacock. The premiere episode drew in 5.3 million live viewers, marking the best opening for the show since 2020. The episode featured familiar faces, with Maya Rudolph portraying Kamala Harris and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden.
The episode was a hit on Peacock, becoming the most-watched “SNL” ever on the platform during its first weekend. Jean Smart hosted the season premiere, while Jelly Roll captivated audiences as the musical guest.
The opening sketch hinted at what viewers can expect from the rest of the season, with Andy Samberg returning to play Doug Emhoff and Jim Gaffigan portraying Tim Walz. The episode also marked a historic milestone for “SNL,” which first aired on October 11, 1975, with Lorne Michaels at the helm.
As the 50th season unfolds, comedian Nate Bargatze is set to host, with Coldplay as the musical guest. To celebrate the show’s anniversary, NBC will air a three-hour live “SNL” celebration on February 16.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
