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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Monday, June 16
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Getting Lucky" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Calvin and Dave join Lamar (Kevin Pollack) on a road trip to the casino. Also, Tina and Gemma babysit Daphne while Marty desperately tries to spend time with Courtney alone.
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Not Being in It" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Calvin and Dave return from the casino, stunned by the revelation that Lamar had been laundering stolen money, which has now landed him in jail. Meanwhile, Malcom runs into his frenemy.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 16)
Monday, June 16
- Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building) - Watch Steve on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Zach Cherry (Duncanville/I Feel Bad/Crashing) - Zach is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Mariska Hargitay (Can't Hurry Love) - Mariska appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger (FUBAR) - Arnold stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Taran Killam (Single Parents) and Tone Bell (Survival of the Thickest/Fam/Disjointed/Truth Be Told/Bad Judge/Whitney) - Taran and Tone are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- John Mulaney (Mulaney) - John appears on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - E! News has an interview with Jean at 11pm on E!.
- Chris Redd (Kenan/Disjointed) and Caroline Rhea (Sydney to the Max/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/Pride & Joy) - Chris and Caroline are guests on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Rebel Wilson (Super Fun Night) - Rebel talks about Bride Hard on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
- Leslie Bibb (Palm Royale/God's Favorite Idiot/American Housewife/The Odd Couple/About a Boy) - Leslie guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Dax Shepard (Bless This Mess) - Drew and the host of Armchair Expert Dax Shepard are chatting about turning fifty, the weirdest rumor they've ever heard about themselves and more on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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