‘SNL’ sees highest-rated program in four years, more than 7.7 million tune in

“Saturday Night Live” delivered its highest-rated show in four years for NBC, according to early numbers from Nielsen Media Research, with 7.765 million viewers tuning in for the season premiere.

The program, which was broadcast live before an indoor studio audience in New York City despite Broadway being shuttered and the city’s movie theaters being closed, was hosted by comedian Chris Rock and featured Alec Baldwin returning as President Trump, Jim Carrey as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, former cast member Maya Rudolph as Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and musical guest Megan Thee Stallion.

‼️ @chrisrock ‼️ #SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/pgS8L1uZOM

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) October 4, 2020

Rock created controversy in his opening monologue in addressing what he described as “the elephant in the room” regarding Trump testing positive coronavirus and going to Walter Reed Medical Center for treatment late last week.

“President Trump is in the hospital from COVID,” Rock said. “I just want to say my heart goes out to COVID.”

Carrey’s turn as Biden received generally poor reviews.

Not sure about Jim Carrey’s Biden impression.

— Yashar Ali (@yashar) October 4, 2020

Jim Carrey’s Joe Biden reminds me a lot of Jim Carrey.

— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) October 4, 2020

Jim Carrey as Joe Biden on SNL tonight is the purest reboot of Dumb and Dumber we’re ever likely to get.

— Dean Browning (@DeanBrowningPA) October 3, 2020

Veteran “SNL” cast member Kate McKinnon also paid tribute to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died at age 87 last month.

Kate McKinnon played RBG in a tribute on @nbcsnl. No words spoken. ‘Rest in power’ written. #SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/jRtoJsiSs4

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 4, 2020