Ratings: Martin Short-Hosted SNL Is Most-Watched Christmas Episode Since 2021

Photo: Will Heath/NBC

First on LateNighter: Saturday Night Live made good this weekend on its tradition of stacking its Christmas episode with guest stars, and was rewarded with its highest viewership for a Christmas episode in three years.

Per Nielsen live-plus-same-day ratings data, Saturday’s Martin Short-hosted episode drew an average of 4,793,000 total viewers, up +14% over last week, and +10% over last year’s Christmas episode (which was hosted by Kate McKinnon).

Among viewers in the key 18-49 demo, this week’s episode drew an average of 940,000 viewers aged 18-19, up 15% week over week, and up 14% vs last year’s Christmas episode.

This week’s episode delivered a whopping ten cameos in the cold open alone, as Martin Short was welcomed into the show’s Five-Timer’s Club by fellow members Paul Rudd, Tom Hanks, Tina Fey, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Emma Stone, Scarlett Johansson, John Mulaney, Alec Baldwin. Jimmy Fallon also crashed the show’s opening sketch, while Dana Carvey made his ninth appearance this season later in the episode.

Saturday Night Live is now on its mid-season break. It’s set to return with new episodes January 18th, 2025.

Complete season-to-date Nielsen ratings charts for SNL‘s 50th season follow below:

Live+SD Ratings – All Viewers (P2+)

Date
Host / Music Guest
Avg Viewers

(000’s)
Avg Share %

9/28/24
Jean Smart / Jelly Roll
5,388
15.16

10/5/24
Nate Bargatze / Coldplay
4,763
13.34

10/12/24
Ariana Grande / Stevie Nicks
5,573
15.60

10/19/24
Michael Keaton /
Billie Eilish
4,777
12,80

11/2/24
John Mulaney /
Chappell Roan
6,587
18.35

11/9/24
Bill Burr /
Mk.gee
4,424
13.09

11/16/24
Charli XCX
4,287
12.49

12/7/24
Paul Mescal /
Shaboozey
3,839
10.80

12/14/24
Chris Rock /
Gracie Abrams
4,200
12.55

12/21/24
Martin Short /
Hozier
4,793
13.96

Show more

Live+SD Ratings – In the Demo (P18-49)

Date
Host / Music Guest

Avg Viewers
(000s)
Avg Share %

9/28/24
Jean Smart / Jelly Roll
1,126
13.72

10/5/24
Nate Bargatze /
Coldplay
979
11.78

10/12/24*
Ariana Grande /
Stevie Nicks
1,266
15.72

10/19/24
Michael Keaton /
Billie Eilish
946
11.17

11/2/24
John Mulaney /
Chappell Roan
1,669
20.52

11/9/24
Bill Burr /
Mk.gee
967
12.45

11/16/24
Charli XCX
863
11.32

12/7/24
Paul Mesca l/
Shaboozey
739
9.25

12/14/24
Chris Rock /
Gracie Abrams
817
11.13

12/21/24
Martin Short /
Hozier
940
12.20

Show more