Why is Charli XCX not performing at SNL? No live audience at taping over Covid fear
As the Omicrom continues to spread at an alarming pace, 'Saturday Night Live' decided to take immediate precautions for its 2021 finale. To the despair of fans, there will be no live audience and a limited cast at the latest taping. Charli XCX, who was set to perform, took to Twitter to confirm that she is not going to appear due to the latest developments.
“Hi everyone,” Charli XCX wrote. "due to the limited crew at tonight’s taping of snl my musical performances will no longer be able to go ahead. i am devastated and heartbroken. myself, caroline, christine and all of our crews and teams have worked so hard all week alongside the snl team to bring the most amazing music performance to life. it can’t happen this time but I’ll be back! i am currently safe and healthy but of course very sad. “please look after yourselves out there and make sure you get vaccinated if you haven’t already. lots of love, Charli."
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A set insider told New York Post that 'four actors' have tested positive for coronavirus, and three others are scared to come to NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Center, which is where the weekly sketch show is filmed in Midtown. Some set sources claimed that executive producer Lorne Michaels, 77, has tested positive for the virus, but others dismissed the information as false. As per one source, the “show must go on but don’t expect to see Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman or (Aristotle) Athari.” Jost, 39, usually hosts “Weekend Update” with 38-year-old Michael Che. Sherman, 28, and Athari, 30, are both newcomers in this season. One source claimed that one of the cast members who has voiced concerns over the outbreak is 37-year-old Cecily Strong.
In a statement to New York Post, a show representative said: “Due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonight’s taping of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and the show will have limited cast and crew. The show continues to follow all government safety guidelines in addition to a rigorous testing protocol.”
'Saturday Night Live' tweeted on Saturday afternoon, December 18, that ticket-holders for Saturday’s show would be contacted. “If you have won tickets to this show, you will be receiving more information soon,” the show posted. “Thank you for your patience and understanding.
If you have won tickets to this show, you will be receiving more information soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) December 18, 2021
The outbreak comes as several Broadway shows shut down this past week over fears of the virus' spread -- including “Company,” “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” “Hamilton,” “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” “Ain’t Too Proud,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” and “Freestyle Love Supreme”.
