SNL ROCKED BY CHRIS ROCK

Two weeks after posting its lowest ratings in history, Saturday Night Live has bounced back with its best numbers since last February, according to Nielsen overnights. The show, with Chris Rock as host and Prince as the musical guest, drew higher ratings than any program broadcast by any of the networks during primetime. It also generated more controversy than any other recent SNL installment as Rock, in his monologue, touched on subjects related to terrorism and religion. Referring to the new Freedom Tower, which opened today (Monday) at the site of the former World Trade Center, Rock said, "They should change the name from the ‘Freedom Tower’ to the ‘Never Going in There Tower’!" He said he could foresee the day when 9/11 remembrances would be commercialized. "We’re only five years away from 9/11 sales! That’s right. You’re gonna hear it on the radio. ‘Come on down to Red Lobster. These shrimp are nine dollars and 11 cents!’" After all, he remarked, "Look at what we did to Christmas. … I don’t know Jesus but from what I’ve read Jesus is the least materialistic person to ever roam the Earth! No bling on Jesus!" On Fox News’s Fox and Friends this morning, co-host Brian Kilmeade brought on Joe Connor, a cousin of one of the 9/11 victims. "Am I missing it or is that something we should not be kidding about?" Kilmeade asked. Responded Connor: "I think what he did is crossing over this line. He was making light of murder."