NEW YORK – “Saturday Night Live” Season 50 is off to a strong start, breaking records for streaming service Peacock.
5.3 million people watched the premiere live on NBC on Monday, with Alec Baldwin reprising his role as then-President Donald Trump and Chris Rock hosting the show with musical guest Megan Thee Stallion. It was announced that it was the best opening since then.
The sketch comedy show welcomed back several alumni this weekend for an opening skit about this year’s U.S. presidential election, with Maya Rudolph playing Kamala Harris and Dana Carvey playing President Joe Biden.
According to NBC, this episode was the most-watched first-weekend episode of “SNL” in Peacock history.
Jean Smart hosted the 50th season premiere, and country sensation Jelly Roll was the musical guest.
The opening sketch could be a preview of the upcoming season, with Alum’s Andy Samberg returning as Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff and actor and comedian Jim Gaffigan playing Harris’ running mate, the Minnesota governor. He plays Tim Waltz. Only Rudolph was expected to play Harris, but SNL did not confirm that she would reprise the role.
The first episode of “SNL” aired on October 11, 1975, with Lorne Michaels at the helm as it is today.
Hosted by George Carlin at the time, the show featured the original cast of the so-called “Not Ready for Prime Time Players”: Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Laraine. – Introduced Newman and Garrett Morris.
Comedian Nate Bergatze will host “SNL” this weekend, and Coldplay will be the musical guest. NBC will broadcast a three-hour live broadcast of “SNL” on February 16th to commemorate this anniversary.
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