Palin causes 'SNL' ratings jump

NEW YORK, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- "Saturday Night Live" had its highest metered-market household rating in more than 14 years, thanks to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's visit this weekend, NBC said.

Former "SNL" star and head writer Tina Fey has returned to the famed sketch comedy series several times this season to do her popular impression of the Republican vice presidential candidate, however, Saturday's episode featured an appearance by the real Palin, as well as by Fey.

NBC said this weekend's broadcast, which was led by "W" star Josh Brolin as host, averaged a 10.7 rating, 24 share in the 56 local markets metered by Nielsen Media Research, giving the show its highest average in metered-market households since the March 12, 1994, telecast in which champion ice skater Nancy Kerrigan was host.

Saturday's edition of "SNL" delivered the No. 3 rating of the week in the metered markets behind only Monday's "Dancing With the Stars" on ABC and Thursday's "CSI" on CBS, NBC said.

Compared to "Saturday Night Live's" average for originals last October, Saturday's telecast is up 161 percent.

The New York Daily News said that as many as 14 million people may have watched Saturday's show based on the fact NBC said ratings for that episode were up 47 percent from the previous week's original episode, which drew about 9.7 million viewers.

NBC said national ratings, viewer totals and demographic results for the most recent episode of "SNL" are due Thursday.