Thursday, December 26, 2019

SNL with Eddie Murphy Scores in Ratings; REELZ and Alex Trebek Explore Game Shows

Eddie Murphy as Mr. Robinson - Saturday Night Live 2019

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.


Alex Trebek's Game Changers

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, April 27

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to the Chat" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Tina oversteps at daycare, a well‑meaning effort to fix it takes a turn after a message is sent to the wrong chat. Meanwhile, a surprise visit from Dave’s mother, Paula (Marilu Henner), leads him and Gemma to reconsider their careers and what comes next.

DMV - "Abuela" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Colette agrees to oversee Ceci’s grandmother’s driving test to win her approval, only to discover Ceci’s request to fail her is far more personal. Meanwhile Barb spirals when Vic’s dog takes a liking to her DMV rival Beau (Randall Park), as Gregg fixates on his own aging during an anti‑aging experiment.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 27)

Monday, April 27

  • Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Watch Anthony on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Stanley Tucci (Central Park) - Stanley is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Brenda Song (Running Point/Dollface/Dads/The Suite Life on Deck/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) - Brenda appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair/Malcolm in the Middle/The Louie Show) - Bryan is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Rose Byrne (Platonic/Physical) - Rose appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear/Girls) - Ebon stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Kate Hudson (Running Point) and Justin Theroux (Running Point) - Andy Cohen interviews Kate and Justin on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9:15pm on Bravo.
  • Stanley Tucci (Central Park) - Stanley talks about The Devil Wears Prada 2 on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Eve Plumb (The Brady Bunch/The Brady Brides) - Eve talks about her new memoir Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Jennifer chats about her play The Adding Machine on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Larenz Tate (South Central/The Royal Family/New Attitude) - Larenz talks about Michael on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

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04/26 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 27, 2026)
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04/24 - A Different World Sequel Wraps Production and Adds More Cast Members; Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro Coming to ABC and Hulu in July
04/23 - Antenna TV's One Day at a Time and Rewind TV's 227 Mother's Day Marathons; Valerie Bertinelli's Lifetime Movie Love, Again Premieres May 9
04/22 - Stavros Halkias Returns to Netflix; CNN to Air Matt Friend Comedy Special Friday
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04/20 - Pluto TV Spring Slate Includes My Wife and Kids; Hulu Adding Podcasts with New Girl, Prison Break and This Is Us Stars
04/19 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 20, 2026)
04/18 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Law & Order: Organized Crime Ending After Five Seasons; Price Is Right to Get Live Primetime Episode in December
04/17 - Great Entertainment Television Acquires Community; Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Stars Reuniting
04/16 - CBS Fall 2026-27 Schedule; The White Lotus Season 4 Filming Commences
04/15 - Audible Series with Kevin Hart This Father's Day; Pop Culture Jeopardy! Returns May 11
04/14 - Peacock Renews The 'Burbs; ABC's Drama Hits Get 2026-27 Renewals
04/13 - FETV Acquires Car 54, Where Are You?; Hacks Events Ahead of Final Season
04/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 13, 2026)
04/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Buys Multi-Cam Pilot Pitch from Creator of Mom; Final Three Saturday Night Live Hosts Announced
04/10 - HBO Renews Rooster for Season 2; Studio C with Special Guest Star Rainn Wilson
04/09 - Additional Stars for Nobody Wants This Season 3; Saturday Night Live Closes Out Season 51 in May
04/08 - Mindy Kaling's Not Suitable for Work Drops June 2; Lisa Ann Walter: It Was An Accident Premieres May 15 on Hulu
04/07 - CBS Announces Late-Night Lineup After Colbert Ends; Hulu Special Nikki Glaser: Good Girl Drops April 24
04/06 - Bonus Episodes of Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat Coming to Prime Video; Ramy Youssef's Third HBO Special
04/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 6, 2026)
04/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Colin Jost Lands Role in New Peacock Series; Cincinnati Radio Station Gets WKRP Letters
04/03 - Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Final 4-Part Event; Hulu's Deli Boys Returns May 28
04/02 - Prime Video Releases More Details on Kevin; Additional Cast Members Joining Tires Season 3 on Netflix
04/01 - Hulu Releases First Look at Alice and Steve; Tubi to Stream 250 Sesame Street Episodes
03/31 - CBS 2026 Season Finale Dates; Wanda Sykes Returns with Third Netflix Special
03/30 - Saturday Night Live April 2026 Schedule; NBC Renews Chicago Series for 2026-27
03/29 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 30, 2026)
03/28 - SitcomsOnline Digest: More Casting News for Reboot of A Different World; Amy Poehler Produced Comedy in Development at Netflix
03/27 - The Ms. Pat Show Renewed for Season 6; SisterS Returns April 22 on AMC+, Acorn TV and IFC TV