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

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

Thursday, April 9

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Stuffed Monkey and an Ex-Girlfriend" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When CeeCee loses her favorite toy, Mandy and Meemaw (Annie Potts) take it as an opportunity to make some money. Meanwhile, Connor contemplates revisiting an old relationship.

Ghosts - "Michael Jackson Goes to HR" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Trevor lands himself in trouble when an inappropriate gift to a co‑worker forces him into an HR meeting only Jay can handle. Meanwhile, Pete unintentionally sparks drama with Alberta after casually mentioning a surprise visit to his ex.

Animal Control - "Scaredy Cats and Card Sharks" (Fox, 9:02PM ET/PT)
When Frank and Daisy lose $5,000 in union funds, they try to win the money back by gambling; Shred and Patel cover the late-night shift at the precinct.

Going Dutch - "The Heart Locker" (Fox, 9:32PM ET/PT)
After throwing out his back, the Colonel is ordered to bed rest; the base is sent to sweep for landmines at a local farm, where Major Shah suddenly finds himself in serious danger when he steps on one.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 6)

Thursday, April 9

Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Catch Kerry on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Riz Ahmed (Bait) - Riz is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Arsenio Hall (Arsenio) - Arsenio is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jim Parsons (Young Sheldon/The Big Bang Theory) - Jim appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Judy Reyes (Scrubs) - Judy talks about Scrubs and High Potential on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Dany Levy (Big Mistakes/Schitt's Creek) - Dan talks about Big Mistakes on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Felicity Huffman (Sports Night) - Felicity dishes on Doc on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair/Malcolm in the Middle/The Louie Show), Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair/Malcolm in the Middle) and Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair/Malcolm in the Middle/Help Me Help You) - Bryan, Frankie and Jane talk about Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
John C. Reilly (Moonbase 8) - NBC's Today has "Head or Tails" with John in the 9am hour.
Billy Magnussen (The Franchise/Made for Love) - NBC's Today catches up with Billy in the 9am hour.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Tamron Hall has a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE with Terry and Rebecca King-Crews revealing for the first time Rebecca's health battle, so check your local listings.
Kenya Barris (blackAF) - Kenya talks about Prime's Jerry West: The Logo on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Juliette Lewis (Camping/I Married Dora) - Juliette tells Drew about her current run in Broadway show The Rocky Horror Show on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.