The primary new “Saturday Night time Reside” episode generates infinite media protection.
This yr, Legacy Media breathlessly reported on the present’s main forged adjustments for weeks on finish. Plus, “SNL” plucked anti-ICE singer Unhealthy Bunny to host, producing much more free publicity.
A lot of the latter proved adverse, a minimum of from conservative media, however all publicity is nice publicity, proper?
Proper?
“SNL” delivered a 4.4 scores tally for Oct. 4’s season debut. For context, final yr’s opener drew 5.38 with “Hacks” star Jean Good. That’s a 24 % drop, in line with LateNighter.com.
Good is a gifted comedian actress, however her HBO Max present is a distinct segment hit, at greatest. Sadly, she doesn’t rule the zeitgeist like Unhealthy Bunny does at present.
Possibly selecting a wildly alienating star to kick off season 51 wasn’t one of the best transfer for NBC. That means Unhealthy Bunny’s upcoming Tremendous Bowl halftime efficiency might additionally underperform.
Or not.
That sport can maintain virtually any publicity hit and nonetheless draw huge scores. It’s the one tv occasion that retains drawing old-school scores numbers.
However what does this imply for “SNL?”
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The veteran showcase as soon as once more pummeled President Donald Trump whereas ignoring so many tales that may negatively replicate the progressive agenda. Naturally, none of those skits got here to fruition.
It’s like late-night TV, however on Saturday. And that comparability issues.
Late-night reveals have chased away roughly half the nation with their hard-Left, hateful content material. Not “good riddance” however “riddance,” as late-night liar Jimmy Kimmel famously stated.
“SNL” has clung to a few of that viewers, both by model loyalty or a curiosity issue. That has saved its scores afloat, by and huge.
What if that’s altering?
It’s only one episode, however given the season premiere angle and the buzzy host, it suggests “SNL” could also be in for a tough season … except it rediscovers why the present mattered within the first place.
Humorous. Irreverent. Unpredictable.
With out these core components, “SNL” is simply one other clapter machine.