‘SNL’ Opens With Giuliani, Strong Ratings

After receiving New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani’s blessing to “be funny,” NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” began its 27th season with solid ratings, attracting an estimated national audience of 9.6 million viewers.

That projection is based on preliminary Nielsen Media Research data from 51 major cities, where “SNL” was watched in 7.6% of homes--more than twice the audience for Fox’s “Mad TV” or NBC’s prime-time telecast of the movie “Twister.” The rating represents a 24% increase versus last year’s premiere and equals the number recorded in 1999, when Jerry Seinfeld kicked off the show’s 25th anniversary season.

Giuliani opened the program flanked by members of New York’s police and fire departments, which have been involved in rescue efforts following the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center. When producer Lorne Michaels thanked the mayor for appearing and tentatively asked, “Can we be funny?,” Giuliani deadpanned, “Why start now?”

Other than a few jokes during the show’s “Weekend Update” mock newscast about alleged terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the sketches stuck to broad comic material and eschewed political humor. Actress Reese Witherspoon was the show’s guest host.

ABC topped the networks in prime time Saturday with the movie “Forrest Gump,” edging CBS’ lineup of “Touched by an Angel,” the new drama “Citizen Baines” and “The District.”