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Following Fallon,
'SNL's been a-falling
'Weekend Update' anchors
aren't pulling as well
By Laura Nathan
Thanks to networks like Comedy
Central and TBS bringing us laughs around the clock, “Saturday
Night Live” has to work all that much harder for laughs than it
did in
its earlier years. More than ever it depends on fresh talent.
So it wasn't helped when at the end of last season the
NBC show lost No. 1 funnyman and “Weekend Update” anchor Jimmy
Fallon after losing big names Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan in
the previous two seasons.
The worry was that "SNL" would be that much shorter
on laughs--and ratings.
To replace Fallon, "SNL" revamped "Weekend
Update" with co-anchors Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, amid
lots of hype.
But the buzz surrounding the two-woman anchor team has not
been enough to maintain last year's viewership levels, let alone
improve upon them.
Through the week ended Nov. 27, “SNL” had averaged
4.4 million total viewers and a 3.4 rating among 18-49s. Last year,
through the same week, the show was averaging 4.6 million viewers
and a 3.6 18-49 rating.
But there have been some stronger shows.
When “SNL” aired its season premiere Oct. 2 with
host Ben Affleck and musical guest Nelly, the show ranked No. 29
among 18-49s on all of broadcast and cable and earned a 3.9
rating.
And on Oct. 30, when “SNL” brought on the
ever-controversial Eminem, the show earned a 4.2 among 18-49s.
But these ratings bumps only confirm that old truism
about "SNL": Who's guesting and how hot that guest is that
very week will always be a key ratings driver. It's in the off weeks
that the show's real strength, or lack thereof, shows through.
And of course, old show memories will always pull viewers. On
Nov. 1, a Monday and election eve, a special on the election that
featured snippets of old Chevy Chase skits earned a 5.9 among 18-49s
and brought in 7.6 million viewers from that demo going against
"Monday Night Football" on ABC.
"SNL" can probably expect at least a slight
ratings boost this month with shows hosted by two of Hollywood’s
most popular actors. This Saturday night, “SNL” will feature
Irish heartthrob Colin Farrell and musical guest Sister Scissors. On
Dec. 18, actor Robert DeNiro and the recently reunited Destiny’s
Child will be guests.
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SUNDAY MORNING SHOW RATINGS
Week
Ending November 28, 2004 |
|
Program |
Network |
Households* |
People 2+ |
Adults 25-54 |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
Total viewers (millions) |
Rtg% |
|
Meet the Press |
NBC |
3.3 |
10 |
4.476 |
1.2 |
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Face the Nation |
CBS |
2.0 |
6 |
2.839 |
0.9 |
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This Week with George Stephanopoulos |
ABC |
1.8 |
5 |
2.231 |
0.5 |
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News Sunday |
Fox |
1.2 |
4 |
1.505 |
0.6 |
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* Each rating point is equivalent to 1.096 million home
Source: NTI |
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MORNING SHOW RATINGS
Week
Ending November 28, 2004
Five-day averages |
|
Program |
Network |
Households* |
People 2+ |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
Total viewers (millions) |
|
Today |
NBC |
5.0 |
17 |
6.3 |
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Good Morning America |
ABC |
4.2 |
15 |
5.3 |
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Early Show |
CBS |
2.4 |
8 |
2.9 |
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* Each rating point is equivalent to 1.096 million homes
Source: NTI |
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LATE-NIGHT RATINGS
Week
Ending November 26, 2004
Five-day averages |
|
Program |
Network |
People 2+ |
Adults 18-49 |
|
Total viewers (millions) |
Rtg% |
|
Tonight Show with Jay Leno |
NBC |
6.1 |
2.2 |
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Late Show with David Letterman |
CBS |
5.3 |
1.9 |
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Nightline |
ABC |
4.1 |
1.3 |
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Late Night with Conan O’Brien |
NBC |
2.8 |
1.3 |
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The Late Late Show |
CBS |
1.9 |
0.7 |
|
Jimmy Kimmel Live |
ABC |
1.9 |
0.8 |
|
Last Call with Carson Daly |
NBC |
1.8 |
0.9 |
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S ource: NTI |
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DAYTIME RATINGS
Week
Ending November 26, 2004
Five-day averages |
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“ Daytime dramas
|
Total viewers (millions) |
Women 18-49 |
|
|
Network |
(millions) |
Rtg% |
Shr |
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ABC |
3.80 |
2.1 |
12 |
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CBS |
3.97 |
1.6 |
10 |
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NBC |
3.15 |
1.9 |
12 |
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Full
daytime |
Total viewers (millions) |
Women 18-49 |
|
Network |
(millions) |
Rtg% |
Shr |
|
CBS |
4.3 |
1.6 |
10 |
|
ABC |
3.69 |
1.9 |
12 |
|
NBC |
3.15 |
1.9 |
12 |
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Source: NTI |
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EVENING NETWORK NEWS RATINGS
Week
Ending December 3, 2004
Five-day averages |
|
Program |
Network |
Households* |
People 2+ |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
Total viewers (millions) |
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NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw/Brian Williams |
NBC |
8.6 |
16 |
12.384 |
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ABC World News with Peter Jennings |
ABC |
6.6 |
12 |
9.456 |
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CBS Evening News with Dan Rather |
CBS |
5.4 |
10 |
7.706 |
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* Each rating point is equivalent to 1.084 million homes
Source: NTI
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Dec. 9, 2004
©
2004
Media Life
- Laura
Nathan is a New York writer.
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