Thursday, December 26, 2019
SNL with Eddie Murphy Scores in Ratings; REELZ and Alex Trebek Explore Game Shows

The Dec. 21 edition of Saturday Night Live on NBC, with host Eddie Murphy and musical guest Lizzo, averaged a 2.5 rating in adults 18-49 and 9,921,000 viewers overall, according to "live plus same day" "fast official" ratings from Nielsen Media Research. This is the highest-scoring edition of Saturday Night Live since May 2017 in both measures, best for the show since the May 13, 2017 (season finale) telecast, hosted by Melissa McCarthy with musical guest HAIM, which averaged a 2.7 rating in adults 18-49 and 10,382,000 million viewers overall. The 2.5 rating in 18-49 ties Fox's Masked Singer season premiere on Sept. 25 as the #1 highest-rated entertainment series telecast this season on any network across all dayparts. It's also the highest-rated comedy telecast on any network since CBS' Big Bang Theory series finale on May 16 (3.2 18-49 rating). Versus Saturday Night Live's season averages heading into last night, the Dec. 21 episode is up +98% in 18-49 (2.48 rating vs. 1.25 rating) and +68% in total viewers (9,921,000 vs. 5,916,000 total viewers).
Looking at local markets, SNL on Dec. 21 did big in San Francisco (8:30pm PT, LIVE), with its highest demo rating ever (since SF became an LPM market in 2004), thanks to a local San Francisco 49ers game lead-in on KNTV-NBC. SNL returns with new episodes starting Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020.
Kicking off January on REELZ is Alex Trebek's Game Changers hosted by Alex Trebek which makes its REELZ premiere on Sunday, January 5 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT. Alex Trebek's Game Changers gives viewers an insightful look at the phenomenon of TV game shows, memorable contestant moments and the hosts we played along with throughout the years including Pat Sajak, Regis Philbin, Howie Mandel, Wink Martindale, Bob Eubanks and Drew Carey. The cultural footprint of TV game shows is undeniable with generations of viewers inviting them and their hosts into their homes to watch contestants risk it all on a single spin or a single question. Legendary Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek explores how the phenomenon of game shows with their iconic hosts, memorable contestants, triumphs and controversies shaped the evolution of what is one of the most beloved, unique and enduring genres in the global television landscape. From the golden age of game shows to their future in a multi-platform world viewers will learn the secret to game show success and go behind the scenes through Trebek's personal conversations with Howie Mandel, Regis Philbin, Pat Sajak, Drew Carey, Wink Martindale and Bob Eubanks. Alex Trebek's Game Changers is produced by Ballinran Entertainment in association with Monkey Time Media.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, March 1
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Election" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Dave faces off against incumbent Isaiah Evans (guest star Wayne Brady) in a debate for a city council seat, and the race comes to a dramatic conclusion.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "On a Dead Guy's Bench" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob enlists Tunde’s help to buy an engagement ring, but his plans to propose to Abishola are upended by her belief that a traditional marriage is more trouble than it’s worth.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 1)
Monday, March 1
- Eddie Murphy (The PJs) and Arsenio Hall (Arsenio) - Watch Eddie and Arsenio on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts) - Jermaine appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) - Andy is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan will be on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Sarah Chalke (Roseanne/Scrubs) - Sarah appears on A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
- Chris Gethard (Big Lake) - Chris is a guest on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
- Wendi McLendon-Covey (The Goldbergs/Rules of Engagement/Reno 911!) - Wendi appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Leslie Jordan (Call Me Kat/The Cool Kids/Will & Grace/Hearts Afire) - Leslie will be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
- Nick Jonas (Jonas) - Nick is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
- Beth Behrs (The Neighborhood/2 Broke Girls) - Beth appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Ethan Suplee (The Ranch/My Name Is Earl/Boy Meets World) - Ethan opens up about his over 280-pound weight loss on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
- Leslie Odom Jr. (Central Park/Big Day) - Leslie performs on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Jackée Harry (Tyler Perry's The Paynes/The First Family/Sister, Sister/227) - Jackée talks about NBC's Days of Our Lives on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (October-February)
10/13 - The Jetsons - The Complete Series (Diamond Collection)
10/13 - Our Cartoon President - Season Two
10/23 - Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - The Complete Collection
10/27 - The Flintstones - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/27 - Head of the Class - The Complete Second Season (WBShop.com)
11/10 - Letterkenny - Seasons 5 & 6
11/10 - The Office - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/10 - Schitt's Creek - The Complete Collection
11/17 - Carol's Second Act - The Complete Series
11/17 - Robbie - Season 1
11/24 - Corporate - Season 1
11/26 - Man with a Plan - Season Four
12/01 - The Neighborhood - Season Two
12/15 - Avenue 5 - The Complete First Season
01/22 - Corporate - Season 2
01/22 - Corporate - Season 3
02/02 - Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In - The Complete Series (2021 Retail Release)
02/16 - Fam - The Complete Series
02/23 - Betty White's Pet Set - The Complete Series
03/02 - Blue Mountain State - The Complete Series
03/02 - Happy Together - The Complete Series
03/02 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-4 (DVD) (Blu-ray)
More TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest
Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts
