“Saturday Night Live” recently experienced a significant surge in viewership, achieving its highest numbers since 2021, largely due to a special appearance by Ryan Gosling and a viral sketch featuring Beavis and Butt-Head. The April 13, 2024, episode drew an impressive audience of 8.9 million viewers across all platforms, marking the show’s best performance since Billie Eilish hosted in December 2021.
Ryan Gosling, who hosted the episode to promote his film “The Fall Guy,” also saw this episode become the most-watched “SNL” episode ever on Peacock. The episode’s success extended beyond traditional viewership, with remarkable digital engagement figures reported. According to NBC, the episode accumulated 170 million social-video views, including a striking 46 million on YouTube alone.
The standout moment of the night came from a sketch that featured Beavis and Butt-Head, originally characters from the mid-90s MTV series created by Mike Judge. In the sketch, Gosling was humorously mistaken for Beavis, causing disruptions during a live interview led by an AI critic, played by Kenan Thompson. The humor and unexpectedness of the scenario led to uncontrollable laughter from the cast, including Heidi Gardner, who struggled to maintain composure during the live broadcast.
“Beavis and Butt-Head” hold a nostalgic place in entertainment history, known for their love of heavy metal and penchant for mischief. Their return to the spotlight in this “SNL” episode resonated with both new viewers and longtime fans of the series, which had seen a revival in 2022 with new releases on Paramount+.
As “SNL” takes a brief hiatus and gears up for its return with host and musical guest Dua Lipa on May 4, the show continues to ride the high of this viral episode. With the continued appeal of high-profile hosts and the timeless draw of beloved characters, “Saturday Night Live” remains a cornerstone of weekend entertainment.
Watch the “Beavis and Butt-Head” sketch and see why this episode of “SNL” has captivated millions.
Tags: Ryan Gosling, SNL, Beavis and Butt-Head, Chris Stapleton, Peacock, NBC, Heidi Gardner, Kenan Thompson, Mike Judge, Paramount+
