NBC's "Saturday Night Live" opened its 42nd season to its biggest premiere ratings in eight years.
Hosted by "Suicide Squad" star Margot Robbie with musical guest The Weeknd, the sketch show's overnight live and same day viewership rating showed a 29% increase over last year's season premiere, according to early Nielsen measurements of households in 56 local markets.
That also means Saturday's episode ranks as its highest season premiere since 2008 when Josh Brolin hosted with musical guest Lil Wayne and alum Tina Fey's appearance as Governor Sarah Palin in another election year.
More ratings information will be released later this week, which will include total viewership.
This weekend's "SNL" return included several big draws, including the debut of Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump, Larry David's reprisal of his Bernie Sanders impression, and some curiosity after three cast members were fired earlier this year and then replaced by three newcomers this season.
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