‘Wicked: One Wonderful Night’ Scores 3.6 Million Viewers on NBC

“Wicked: One Wonderful Night” scored 3.6 million viewers on NBC.

The thrillifying telecast is the network’s second-highest rated special this year, after “SNL50: The Anniversary Special.” The viewership is also up 64% from the 2024 special “Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked.” (In particular, viewership among the 18-49 demographic spiked 148%.)

“Wicked: One Wonderful Night” was filmed live at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and aired Nov. 6 on NBC. It feared “Wicked” stars including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yoeh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater and Bowen Yang singing songs from both “Wicked” and the upcoming sequel “Wicked: For Good.” The setlist included “The Wizard and I,” “Popular,” “Dancing Through Life,” “For Good” and, of course, “Defying Gravity.”

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, also appeared. And the special featured guests including Leslie Odom Jr., Ludacris and Shaquille O’Neal.

The special came weeks before the Nov. 21 theatrical release of “Wicked: For Good,” which will wrap up the story of the Oz-set prequel. The film sees witches Elphaba and Glinda estranged after visiting Emerald City. Per the logline, “When a girl from Kansas comes crashing into their lives, they will need to come together one final time, and truly see each other, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.”

The first “Wicked” movie will air on NBC on Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. in anticipation of the sequel.

“Wicked: One Wonderful Night” was produced by Fulwell Entertainment. Ben Winston and Raj Kapoor executive produced. “Wicked: For Good” is produced by Marc Platt and David Stone.