Saturday Night Live was an odd version of itself last night after an in-house COVID-19 outbreak forced it to go on without a live audience or there usual musical guest.
Paul Rudd hosted the show for the fifth time and said he was “extremely disappointed” in his monologue, but he was still awarded a five-timer jacket by Tom Hanks, who joined him with fellow five-time host and SNL vet Tina Fey. Kenan Thompson congratulated Rudd for hosting
“four and a half times.”
Hanks walked out to open the show to eerily quiet set lacking the usual cheers from the crowd or music.
“Tonight everyone at ‘Saturday Night Live’ planned to do our new Christmas show and induct a new member into the five-timer’s club, but COVID came early this year so in the interest of safety we do not have an audience…
we sent home our cast, most of our crew.“
The show tried to piece together some live bits with a very limited cast and crew, relying heavily on pre-recorded bits sketches recorded earlier reruns past holiday faves like Timberlake and Samberg’s classic and classy Dick in a Box.
Fey revived her role as Weekend Update co-anchor, filling in for Colin Jost along with Michael Che.
Musical guest Charli XCX said on Twitter that she hated to miss the show and was
“devastated and heartbroken”
But a pre-recorded bit for a song called The Perfect Socks did feature the singer. Rudd said while introducing the clip that it was recorded at 5 AM on Saturday morning,
A set insider told the NY Post that “four actors” had tested positive for COVID Friday — and “three others” had called out because they were “fearful” about coming to the studio.
Tom Hanks and Tina Fey welcome Paul Rudd to the Five-Timers Club! pic.twitter.com/tidzhofdtx
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) December 19, 2021
(Photos, screen grabs; via NY Post)
