Tara Mobasher February 27th, 2022 - 8:52 AM
Following its month-long hiatus, NBC’s Saturday Night Live returned with a tribute to the country of Ukraine, rather than a satirical cold open as usual, according to CNN. Russia invaded its neighboring country earlier this week, and has since forced more than 120,000 people to flee Ukraine.
Introduced by cast members Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters) and Cecily Strong (Ghostbusters), the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York sang “Prayer for Ukraine” as the audience listened silently. The duo later introduced the beginning of the show with its signature catch phrase, “Live from New York. It’s Saturday night.” However, the camera then showed candles resting in front of McKinnon and Strong, which spelled out “Kyiv,” the capital of Ukraine.
“Prayer for Ukraine” performed by Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York pic.twitter.com/5pi2l1Olpx
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) February 27, 2022
Meanwhile, several other members of the TV industry have shown their support for Ukraine through social media. Katheryn Winnick (Vikings) posted several Instagram posts, one featuring Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, giving an address, stating “This morning we are defending our state alone, as we did yesterday. The world’s most powerful forces are watching from afar.”
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Shannen Doherty (Bervily Hills 90210) also reposted a statement from Angelina Jolie (Eternals), in which she said she is praying for the safety of those in Ukraine.
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