There was certainly no shortage of star power during last night’s live televised special celebrating the 40th anniversary of SNL – and there were also a number of Canadians representing our funnier side, like Martin Short, Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Dan Akyroyd, Norm Macdonald, Mark McKinney, and Phil Hartman.
Other Canadians who decided to make cameos included director/writer James Cameron, Will Arnett (“The Lego Movie,” “The Millers”), Eugene Levy, and “Jeopardy’s” Alex Trebek.
“Variety” reported that the special, which was over three hours long, was a huge ratings draw for the NBC network – according to preliminary national estimates from Nielsen, the “SNL 40th Anniversary Special” averaged a 7.8 rating/21 share in adults 18-49 and 23.1 million viewers overall from 8 to 11 p.m., preceded by an hourlong red-carpet special that performed nicely as well (3.0/10 in 18-49, 11.1 million viewers overall). The 7.8 rating is the best for any NBC primetime entertainment telecast (excluding post-Super Bowl programs) since the “Will & Grace” finale in May 2006, and the 23.1 million total viewers is the net’s best since the night of the “Frasier” finale in May 2004. And among all “SNL” primetime specials, last night’s is the highest-rated in 18-49 since a February 2001 edition following an episode of “Friends” (9.3) and the most-watched overall aince a “SNL Presidential Bash” in November 1992 (28.8 million).
Photo: Dominic Chan/WENN.com
