Inde Navarrette’s Halloween episode breaks major SNL viewing records

Gracie Abrams joined Navarrette, while Tom Hanks revived his David S. Pumpkins sketch

Inde Navarrette delivered the biggest audience of Saturday Night Live Season 52 so far, with her Halloween episode attracting 5.2 million viewers.

The episode, which aired on October 31, marked a ratings milestone for the long-running NBC comedy show. According to Variety, Navarrette’s performance surpassed the audiences recorded by the season’s previous hosts, including basketball star Jalen Brunson, Dakota Johnson and Shane Gillis.

The result also stands out against recent seasons. During Season 51, only two episodes attracted larger audiences than Navarrette’s instalment. Ariana Grande hosted the December 2025 episode featuring Cher as musical guest, which drew 5.4 million viewers. The Season 51 finale, hosted by former cast member Will Ferrell with Paul McCartney as musical guest, attracted 5.3 million.

Navarrette’s episode also delivered the strongest performance on Peacock since the March Season 51 instalment featuring Harry Styles as both host and musical guest.

Among adults aged 18 to 49, the broadcast achieved the programme’s highest rating since John Mulaney hosted in November 2024. Its digital performance was equally notable, with video clips from the episode collecting 325 million views across YouTube, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok. That figure marked a season high.

Navarrette was joined by musical guest Gracie Abrams. The episode also featured Tom Hanks returning as David S. Pumpkins in a sketch alongside former SNL cast member Bobby Moynihan.

The programme is scheduled to continue its November line-up with Druski hosting on November 7, accompanied by musical guest The Strokes. Mulaney is then set to host on November 14, marking his seventh appearance in the role, with Phoebe Bridgers joining as musical guest.