‘SATURDAY Night Live’s” somber 27th season kickoff netted terrific numbers.

The show – which featured a dramatic opening with Mayor Giuliani flanked by the police and fire commissioners and uniformed police, fire and rescue personnel – grabbed 17.8 million viewers, according to NBC estimates.

That was up 24 percent over last season’s opening show and was “SNL’s” highest season opener since 1998.

This was the first “SNL” episode since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Actress Reese Witherspoon hosted the show, which featured Paul Simon singing “The Boxer” and musical guest Alicia Keyes.

The show made a few references to Osama bin Laden during the “Weekend Update” news-spoof segment.