NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” had its season finale over the weekend. The episode, hosted by actress Anya Taylor-Joy and featuring a musical performance by rapper Lil Nas X, tied with last week’s episode for the lowest ratings of the season.
The finale had a rating of 3.5 in households and 1.5 for adults aged 18 to 49. A week after hosting Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a ratings success, “SNL” ratings tumbled in an episode with comedian Keegan-Michael Key and artist Olivia Rodrigo. As Deadline reported, the episode last week with Key “dropped to pre-Musk levels.” This week, the numbers were just as poor.
Lil Nas X performed his satanic song “Montero (Call Me What You Want)” on this week’s episode, surrounded by male dancers licking his body, with a fiery backdrop. Amid a wardrobe malfunction, the rapper covered himself after the crotch of his pants ripped while he was pole dancing.
The Georgia-native rapper has faced scrutiny over his new song, in addition to releasing 666 pairs of limited edition “Satan shoes,” the soles of which included a single drop of human blood. Nike filed a lawsuit against sneaker designer MSCHF for trademark infringement.
The increasingly partisan nature of “SNL” has been a turnoff for many viewers. Throughout the Trump administration, the show mocked the president and branded itself as a consistent propaganda machine against the right. In the first month of Joe Biden’s presidency, “SNL” did not air one skit about him or the White House. A poll from 2019 found that 39 percent of respondents agree the show “has gotten too political.”
Earlier this month, comedian Dave Chappelle ridiculed “SNL” for its “woke” behavior after blowback when it was announced Musk would host. The billionaire has deviated often from the left on policy and tone.
“Like you said, no one can be woke enough,” Chappelle told Joe Rogan on a podcast. “I’m torn because I like a warrior for a good cause, but I’m really into tactics. You’re not gonna nag people into behaving. … In fact, if you continue with this tone, even if you’re right, you’ll be very hard to hear.”