Saturday Night Live, America’s Longest Running Sketch Variety Show, Posts #1 Comedy Ranking

For the first time in its epic 46 year run, Saturday Night Live (aka SNL) has achieved an historic first: it’s the #1 comedy show, on broadcast and cable, both in the adverting community’s key demographic  (viewers 18-49) and in viewers overall.

Lorne Michaels’ late night creation has had many milestones to celebrate over the years:

a.) Winner of more Emmys than any other series, in the history of television

b.) Longest running “late night” scripted series of all time

c.) “Birthplace” of exponentially more future feature film stars and globally-recognized comedians, than any other series, in the U.S. or around the world

d.)  Touchstone of major music acts and emerging artists, ranging from The Rolling Stones to Lizzo

Although the series did attempt “stay at home” versions in Season 45, viewers largely rejected the pandemic-influenced effort, dropping the ratings by over 50%.

When Season 46 began last October, the show was back in the studio, starring Chris Rock as host, with Megan Thee Stallion as the musical guest. Ratings soared 64% over Season 45’s conclusion.

Beyond boasting the biggest comedy numbers in broadcast and cable, SNL is also the proud winner of the highest rated program among all of NBC’s series – – comedies, dramas, news magazines or late night.

Broadway Video, Lorne Michaels’ production house, is responsible for producing SNL with Lorne Michaels himself, presiding over it all, not only as the show’s creator but its executive producer.

All this joyful news arrives as Season 46 continues with 2021’s first batch of episodes commencing tomorrow, with host John Krasinski and musical guest Machine Gun Kelly.

The show that once sneered that its cast should be dubbed “the not ready for prime time players,” is now the elite and dominant, elder statesman.

SNL’s first season titans, no longer with us but largely responsible for its iconic and lasting status – – Gilda Radner, John Belushi and Buck Henry – – can laugh even more gloriously from above as another lucky cast member utters the signature line, “Live, from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”