The good news? Saturday’s season finale of “SNL,” which featured host Andy Samberg and musical guest St. Vincent, rebounded from last week’s season low.
The bad news? The slight rebound did not bring the ratings into an impressive territory.
Saturday’s episode posted a 4.0 overnight household rating with a 2.1 adults 18-49 mark in the 25 markets with local people meters. Both figures, though up from the corresponding 3.8 and 1.8 posted last week, represent steep declines from this year’s season premiere and last year’s season finale.
Both the 2013 “SNL” premiere (hosted by Tina Fey with musical guest Arcade Fire) and the 2012-13 “SNL” finale (hosted by Ben Affleck with musical guest Kanye West) posted 4.7 household ratings and 2.7 adults 18-49 ratings.
And while Andy Samberg and St. Vincent are lower-profile names, the promise of a season finale–and virtual guarantee that there would be plenty of cameos–should have provided a stronger compensatory effect.
After largely enjoying solid ratings this fall and winter, “SNL” drifted into a ratings slump this spring. The Lena Dunham-The National episode, which aired on March 8, was the last to post more than a 4.0 overnight household rating (it drew a 4.1).