Saturday Night Live received a giant boost in viewership over the weekend for its 50th anniversary special on television and streaming.
The special’s total viewership across NBC and its streaming platform Peacock, both of which are owned by Comcast, totaled 14.8 million, making it NBC’s most-watched prime-time entertainment telecast in five years. The last entertainment broadcast on NBC to get this much attention was the 2020 Golden Globes, which featured a famous monologue from comedian Ricky Gervais telling celebrities in attendance they knew “nothing of the real world.”
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SNL’s special has also become Peacock’s fourth most-watched telecast, with a trio of Macy’s Thanksgiving parade broadcasts at the top of the podium.
One skit from the special that has gained major attention is titled “Black Jeopardy” which portrayed actor Tom Hanks as a supporter of President Donald Trump in a mocking manner. Many users on social media have criticized the skit, including Meghan McCain, who said his portrayal in the skit ran counter to his attempt to portray himself as “the likable everyman.”
Tom Hanks always wants to pretend he’s the likable everyman but he’s as hate mongering of regular Americans as any host on msnbc.
Good luck becoming less and less culturally relevant by the second bro. https://t.co/37f5vzq9ft
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) February 17, 2025
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SNL’s average viewership per episode has been 4.9 million this season. With almost 15 million viewers, the show’s 50th-anniversary special got over 200% of its average viewership.
