Saturday Night Live is coming back this weekend—but there’s a catch
Saturday Night Live fans, your weekend plans just got better. Like most TV shows, NBC’s SNL has been on hiatus since March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But this weekend, SNL is coming back. On April 9th, NBC announced that the iconic sketch comedy show will return temporarily with a remotely produced show airing this Saturday, April 11th. These are the most solid weekend plans we’ve had in a month, so, needless to say, we’re excited.
Remote Saturday Night Live will air at its normal time at 11:30 p.m. EST on NBC. The network announced that this week’s episode will include its running news segment, “Weekend Update,” along with new “remotely produced” content from the entire cast. It’s unclear what this content will include, but if we know the SNL gang, they’ll make it hilarious.
The SNL Twitter account posted a picture of the cast in a Zoom meeting, presumably discussing the upcoming show.
All the account wrote was “!! This Saturday !! #SNLAtHome.”
Maybe we’re being optimistic, but the hashtag #SNLAtHome seems like a promising hint that this week won’t be the only time the SNL cast returns to our screens during these social-distancing times. Our fingers are crossed. BTW, Aidy Bryant looks adorable as usual in a cozy pink cardigan during the cast Zoom meeting.
‼️ This Saturday ‼️#SNLAtHome pic.twitter.com/JT62ELvmsW
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) April 9, 2020
One of the most fundamental parts of SNL‘s DNA is having a live studio audience. Every Saturday for the past 45 years, Studio 8H has been filled with audiences, elaborate sets, and cast members in costumes. Obviously, this is not possible with the current global crisis, so the cast and crew are going to have to get creative. SNL has incorporated pre-filmed content into the show in recent years, but even that level of production is currently impossible.
We’re sure the talented SNL cast and crew will whip up something to make us all laugh during these tough times, and that’s really all we can ask for. We’re counting down the minutes until we hear someone say, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” (Assuming that’s still true, of course—if that’s where whichever lucky cast member who gets to say the iconic line is quarantining.)
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