"Successful"
I would have thought that to be considered successful a comedy show would have to actually be funny. Apparently not.
In fact, even when you use NBC's own definition of "successful" for a show as in "functioning as an operative arm of the DNC," they fell WAAAAAY short, because they didn't prevent Donald Trump from being elected with all of the "funny" bits they did insulting the candidate and his staffers throughout the campaign.
Of course, in terms of "success" according to Lorne Michaeals, in providing him with a constant parade of young queer male "aspiring comedians" at NBC studio to float his big boat, the show was probably a rip-roaring "success". As I recall Michaels' favorite saying to the chickens who balk at his advances is, "Look sonny! You DO know you can't spell success without 'SUCK' ", don't you!?!"