Donald Trump's 'Saturday Night Live' ratings huge, but not record-setting

There was little doubt Donald Trump's role as guest host of the Nov. 7 edition of "Saturday Night Live" would scare up some numbers, and scare it did: 9.3 million in total, according to the final and official results from NBC.

Yes, those viewership numbers are big. No, they are not the biggest. In fact, Betty White did better. Nancy Kerrigan, better still.

Here's what NBC said, via news release: 

"It’s the most-watched 'Saturday Night Live' telecast since Dec. 21, 2013 (with host Jimmy Fallon and musical guest Justin Timberlake, 9.444 million). In adult 18-49 rating, it’s the high for 'SNL' since Jan. 24, 2015 (with host and musical guest Blake Shelton, 2.37)."

By contrast, Miley Cyrus' season opener had 6.3 million viewers. 

So a big score for The Donald? Probably not quite as signficant as he or NBC might have hoped -- given the controversy (the demand by Latino groups that he be dropped) and the risk involved in having a leading presidential candidate secure so much valuable airtime. (Variety estimated he was on the air for a total of 12 minutes, which means his competitors can request equal time on NBC stations in comparable time periods in Iowa, and possibly elsewhere.) 

Other major draws included, as noted above, Fallon (9.4 million, Dec. 21, 2013), Charles Barkley (10.1 million, Jan. 7, 2012) and Betty White (May 8, 2010). 

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White's accomplishment was singular: Lorne Michaels acceded to a Facebook campaign to have her host, and she became the oldest (88) ever to do so.

Twelve million tuned in.

The champion episode, however, aired March 12, 1994 -- the 15th episode of the 19th season -- when Aretha Franklin was musical guest and Nancy Kerrigan hosted.

Total tune-ins: 17 million.