Entertainment
Saturday Night Live scraps live audience amid Omicron outbreak as Charli XCX cancels performance
Charli XCX has cancelled her performance (Picture: Rosalind OConnor/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Saturday Night Live will go ahead without a live audience tonight, due to concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Charli XCX has also had to cancel her performance, as the show will go ahead with limited cast and crew.
A statement posted to the comedy show’s social media reads: ‘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.’
Musical guest Charli added in a statement: ‘Hi everyone. Due to the limited crew at tonight’s taping of snl my musical peformance will no longer be able to go ahead.
‘I am devastated and heartbroken. myself, caroline [Polachek], christine [and the Queens] and all of our crews and teams have worked so hard all week alongside the snl team to bring the most amazing musical 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.’
The show will still go ahead with Paul Rudd hosting.
More: US TV news
President Joe Biden is set to announce new measures on Tuesday as the Omicron variant spikes across the USA.
Meanwhile, the Omicron variant has also been surging in the UK, with Boris Johnson recently urging all adults to get their booster vaccines when they can.
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