'Saturday Night Live' Scores Highest Rating In 22 Years, Possible ‘Weekend Update’ Spinoff In The Works

It may not be the best thing to see good in the contentious political divide clouding the United States these days, but that’s exactly what NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has since President Donald Trump won the elections. The comedic institution has seen a steady uptick in ratings since Nov. 8, with Saturday’s episode netting SNL the second-highest rating of the week.

As reported by Variety, “Saturday Night Live” scored a 2.5 ratings in adults 18-49 according to Nielsen’s overnight metered markets. That figure was second only to “Big Bang Theory,” which scored a 3.3. For the season, “Saturday Night Live’s” viewership is up 19 percent in adults, and 22 percent (nearly 2 million more) in total viewers – compared to the same period in the 2015-16 season. According to the report, that is the show’s strongest ratings performance since 1994-95, a period of 22 years.

The show has become must-see TV, thanks in large part to Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of the new President. “Saturday Night Live’s” most recent episode also contained a segment that went viral—when Melissa McCarthy made a surprise appearance impersonating Donald Trump’s press secretary Sean Spicer. Saturday’s show was hosted by “Twilight” franchise star Kristen Stewart.

In the wake, of “Saturday Night Live’s” best performing season in 22 years, multiple reports have surfaced about a possible spinoff of the show’s “Weekend Update” segment. Citing a report from Politico, TV Line notes that NBC is discussing the possibility of producing a 30-minute version of the news parody segment. The report also points out that this wouldn’t be the first time “Weekend Update” will see a move to primetime.

In 2008, Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler starred in “Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday.” The duo returned for six episodes during the lead up to the election between former President Barack Obama and John McCain in 2009 and also had a brief run in 2012.

TagsSaturday Night Live, SNL, Donald Trump, melissa mccarthy, sean spicer