SNL: Cancels Live Audience Amid Omicron Spike
Charli XCX announced she will no longer perform during the Paul Rudd-hosted episode due to the show’s limited cast and crew.

Saturday Night Live will tape without a live audience, and without musical guest Charli XCX, on Saturday as COVID-19 cases linked to the omicron variant continue to surge in New York City and throughout the world.
December 18–About 8 hours before the episode featuring host Paul Rudd was scheduled to film, the venerable NBC comedy show announced via its social media channels that it would eliminate the audience.
Additionally, the episode will feature a “limited” cast and crew, per the statement.
“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’s message read. “The show continues to follow all government safety guidelines in addition to a rigorous testing protocol.”