"SNL" extends strong ratings run

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - "Saturday Night Live" continues to go on a ratings tear, thanks in part to another appearance by Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Chris Parnell as presidential debate moderator Jim Lehrer.

"SNL" was the highest-rated program of the night on broadcast TV.

The show averaged a 6.0 overnight rating/15 share in the metered markets, Nielsen Media Research said Sunday afternoon. That's up 46 percent from the 4.1/10 of the previous season's third telecast, on October 13, 2007. It also marks a ratings gain of 52 percent compared with the first three episodes of last season, which began later than "SNL" did this year.

It's been a hot season so far for the show, which three weeks ago scored its best premiere since 2001.

Saturday night's host was actress Anna Faris ("The House Bunny"), and the musical guest was Welsh singer-songwriter Duffy.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter