Paul Rudd, One Direction ‘SNL’ Episode Hits Season High in Viewers

NBC’s sketch comedy show had its most eyeballs since Justin Timberlake’s March 9 episode

This past weekend’s “SNL,” with host Paul Rudd and musical guest One Direction, delivered the show its most total viewers of the season.

The installment, which featured guest appearances by Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig, earned a 2.3 rating/9 share in adults 18-49 and 6.677 million viewers overall. The 6.677 million is the highest for “Saturday Night Live” since Justin Timberlake’s March 9 episode averaged 8.4 million.

See video: ‘SNL’ Spoofs ‘Sound of Music’ With Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen, ‘Anchorman’ Cast Joins One Direction

One Direction’s young fanbase helped bump the viewer totals. Among teens 12-17, “Saturday Night Live” averaged 322,000 viewers, the show’s biggest teen audience since the aforementioned Timberlake appearance.

Against Saturday’s primetime programming on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, “Saturday Night Live” outscored all telecasts in key demo and total viewers, except Fox’s coverage of the Big 10 Ohio State-Michigan State college football championship.

This week, “Inside Llewyn Davis” actor John Goodman will helm “SNL” for his 13th time. Musical guest Kings of Leon will join the hosting vet in NBC’s legendary Studio 8H.

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