“Saturday Night Live” had its best ratings in three years thanks to Donald Trump.
The Republican candidate hosted the late night show over the weekend, and the ratings saw a presidential jump.
“SNL” averaged a whopping 57 percent higher viewing than its fall average, and it was the most popular episode since Charles Barkley hosted the show in January 2012, Variety reports. An estimated nine million people tuned in. (RELATED: Donald Trump To Host ‘Saturday Night Live’)
His overnight rating was 47 percent higher than when Hillary Clinton hosted the season opener in October. (RELATED: Hillary Ditches LGBT Group So She Can Be On ‘Saturday Night Live)
Trump appeared on the show for a mere 12 minutes — half the time Amy Schumer was on when she hosted — because of the “equal time rule,” which networks must afford all candidates. If any of Trump’s opponents request it, NBC has to give them the same time on the network.
Hundreds of protestors rallied outside Trump Tower in New York Saturday night holding “Racism Is No Joke!” banners because they were angry he was chosen to host. (RELATED: Eva Longoria To Trump Protestors: ‘If You Don’t Like Him, Don’t Watch Him’)
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