Viewers flock to watch Michael Phelps on Saturday Night Live

Tuesday 16th September 2008 - 21:01:02

Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps' guest slot on Saturday Night Live has helped the hit U.S. show enjoy its best season premiere since 2001.Phelps' appearance on the popular sketch show boosted ratings massively, making it the most-watched Saturday Night Live since December 2002, when former vice president Al Gore was the guest host.The show, which aired in America on Saturday, enjoyed a 64 per cent rise in viewers compared to last year's season premiere.The forthcoming American elections were also said to have helped pull in a bigger audience, with viewers enjoying comedienne Tina Fey's satirical take on U.S. vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin's speech at the Republican Party convention earlier this month.