Cena-hosted “Saturday Night Live” draws best ratings since weekend after election (w/Keller’s Analysis)

Cena-led Saturday Night live delivers highest ratings for show since Nov. 12 week after election

Saturday Night Live, starring John Cena as host and Maren Morris as musical guest, drew a 4.8 rating in the 56 top markets, plus a 2.3 rating among adults 18.49. Broadway World reports this is the highest number since the post-election Nov. 12 episode. It is also higher than all of the final ten Saturday Night Lives last season.

Keller’s Analysis: As I talked about at length on the Wade Keller Hotline for VIP members on Saturday night, I thought it was one of the weaker SNLs of the season in terms of the sketches. Cena is more talented than he showed in those skits where he largely stood still in a wig and acted like he was “game” for to be goofy but not actually funny. The sketches seemed to play off of his muscles and good looks rather than being a quick-tongued, quick-witted experienced live performer with considerable range, as shown in various places before (be it going toe-to-toe with Rock on the mic, hosting “Today,” rapping in his earlier WWE days, or in his movie appearance). Perhaps more important than being funny, he came across as likable, affable, and a good sport. Still, other than the Karate Kid skit, maybe the highlight of his night, he just stood still, wore a wig, had women reacting to his muscles and overall looks. The good ratings could open the door for more WWE wrestler appearances on SNL or other crossover media appearances, and just in general continues the rehabilitation of pro wrestling’s image after a rough run in the 2000s when WWE made news almost exclusively from wrestlers dying before their 50s.