SNL scraps show and sends cast home amid coronavirus fears; Tom Hanks and Tina Fey pitch in
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Source: Washington Post
Due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonights taping of 'Saturday Night Live and the show will have limited casts and crew, read a statement posted to the shows Twitter account on Saturday afternoon. Charli XCX, the musical guest, tweeted that she was told she would no longer be able to perform due to coronavirus pandemic precautions.
Instead, as the show kicked off at 11:30 p.m., none other than Tom Hanks strolled out in front of a mostly empty, eerily quiet studio. Thank you, surviving crew members, Hanks said, as a few people applauded.
He noted that SNL planned to do its big Christmas show and induct host Paul Rudd into the five timers club celebrities who have hosted the show five times but thanks to the surge of coronavirus cases and in the interest of safety, that was not meant to be. (Before the show, the New York Post and Variety reported that multiple cast members tested positive for the coronavirus, though this did not come up on the air.)
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/12/19/snl-covid-show-tom-hanks-tina-fey/

underpants
(188,634 posts)Charli XCX
Clever
Roy Rolling
(7,256 posts)Did you not tune in to the broadcast? It was there for millions of viewers to enjoy, at great sacrifice to thousands of union employees to make it happen.
The show went on, its something entertainment employees are very proud of.
Clever play on words, but disrespectful to all of us who work to make things happen. Producers have spent millions and employees have made sacrifices to keep the industry rolling.
Since a general work stoppage on March 13, 2020, film and TV productions have self-funded massive testing and screening protocols to safely deliver entertainment. And as a long-time veteran, I fear January may not be the end of the holiday hiatus. Bummer, we like to work. 😂
Response to Roy Rolling (Reply #7)
Auggie This message was self-deleted by its author.
FakeNoose
(36,561 posts)I watched SNL last night and they started out by explaining that the format was changed at the last minute due to Covid. It was still funny (most of it) and Paul Rudd the guest host got his "Fifth Host" jacket. They're making it a thing now for anyone who hosts the show 5 times, gets to join the "Fifth Host" club and they get a special jacket. Tina Fey and Tom Hanks came on and gave Paul Rudd his jacket.
Rebl2
(15,565 posts)They showed some things they had taped in rehearsals earlier in the week and showed a few clips from past Christmas shows.
peacefreak2.0
(1,033 posts)Tough decision, but maybe itll make people think.
twodogsbarking
(12,694 posts)"I'm trying to think but nothing's happening." Curly.
George II
(67,782 posts)The last hour was listed as "paid programming"
Fiendish Thingy
(19,023 posts)targetpractice
(4,919 posts)5 new clips, and one rerun.
Sad about cast members testing positive. I read a lot of Twitter posts from people in NYC, and in those the posters are saying things "I know a lot of people with COVID now. Not too sick, and fully vaccinated and boosted people."
Omaha Steve
(104,397 posts)NOT important news of national interest only. Can be posted in GD.
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