In Paul Rudd’s (Ant-Man, Clueless) fifth hosting gig for the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live (SNL), the show made drastic measures hours before the episode aired after multiple members of the cast and crew tested positive for COVID-19. The announcement came on SNL’s Twitter and Instagram.
“Due to a recent spike in the omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonight’s taping,” the post said.
Tom Hanks (Cast Away, Forrest Gump) and Tina Fey (30 Rock, Mean Girls) were also in attendance working with Rudd to celebrate his fifth time hosting. Also appearing in the episode were Martin Short (Three Amigos, Innerspace) and SNL alum Steve Martin (Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Cheaper By The Dozen).
The show has gone on its regular mid-season, winter break and no word has been given by NBC executives on whether or not they will continue this course of not allowing a live audience once they return in the new year.
With a limited cast performing with Rudd, the episode was filled with pre-recorded sketches and past Christmas sketches to keep with the theme of the episode. With such few cast members, fans were delighted to see Fey return to the “Weekend Update” desk to host the segment along with current host Michael Che.
SNL is not the only show that has been affected by the sudden surge of omicron. The new CBS comedy, Ghosts, shut down filming of their season finale after an unknown cast or crew member contracted the virus. This rise in cases has also affected other live performances, specifically those on Broadway such as the musical adaptation of Mrs. Doubtfire and the sequel to the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
NBC has not yet announced when SNL will return in the new year, but Rudd let fans know at the end of his episode that while it was not the experience he wanted, he still had a great time doing it.
“What a crazy week, and an even crazier day,” Rudd said at the end of the episode. “I know it wasn’t the Christmas show you expected, but that’s the beauty of this place, like life it’s unpredictable.”