Saturday Night Live paid audience $150 to get past state COVID-19 rules

[TaylorSwift 162,282]

“SNL” hosted a live audience at its season premiere over the weekend — by doling out $150 checks to audience members in order to comply with New York state’s coronavirus regulations.

Current state regulations prohibit media productions from hosting live audiences unless they are made up of paid cast, crew or employees. The audience must be no more than 100 people or 25 percent of capacity, whichever is lower, and audiences must practice 6 feet of social distance in all directions, the state says.

But the brains behind “SNL” came up with the creative solution — compensation — and dispensed the free tickets through a third-party website in order to ensure an audience of no more than 100.

“Saturday Night Live" has confirmed that they followed the reopening guidance, including selecting audience members through a third-party screening and casting process and compensating them for their time as paid audience members,” Health Department spokesman Jonah Bruno told The Post.

Sean Ludwig told the Democrat & Chronicle on Tuesday that there was no advance mention of the $150 payout. “We were very pleasantly surprised to be handed a $150 check as we left the theater,” he said.

Audience members also underwent strict coronavirus safety measures, including rapid tests upon entering 30 Rock. They were required to wear masks during the entirety of the show and were placed in “pods” of people who registered for tickets together.

The same protocol will be followed for upcoming NBC shows, the outlet reported. 

source

[bionic 50,111]

Without an audience SNL is not funny at all, so it makes sense they'd evade the law to get an audience. Irresponsible and dangerous, but this is the same SNL that promoted Trump's primary campaign then asked "what happened?" when he won.

[Guest]

Nobody is actually going by the rules including Lady Gaga. People only act outraged when its a Republican not going by the rules.

[Mister G 10,512]

3 minutes ago, Faysalaaa said:

Nobody is actually going by the rules including Lady Gaga. People only act outraged when its a Republican not going by the rules.

I thought her team got tested and quarantined in a bubble together for the VMAs and the 911 video? Aside from that I think everyone across the globe gave up and said screw it we have to live with COVID.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Mister G said:

I thought her team got tested and quarantined in a bubble together for the VMAs and the 911 video? Aside from that I think everyone across the globe gave up and said screw it we have to live with COVID.

She gave her jacket to one of her fans on the street. Which is fine im not criticizing her.

[TaylorSwift 162,282]

7 minutes ago, Faysalaaa said:

its a Republican not going by the rules.

do you mean miss republicana del rey ?

[Guest]

Just now, 777777777777777777 said:

do you mean miss republicana del rey ?

The criticism was mostly about how stupid it is to wear a mask with holes

[Mister G 10,512]

2 minutes ago, 777777777777777777 said:

do you mean miss republicana del rey ?

Republicana Del Rey omg LOL.

[Guest Adarsh]

9 minutes ago, Faysalaaa said:

She gave her jacket to one of her fans on the street. Which is fine im not criticizing her.

That was months ago. It was a totally different ball game then. Half of the people were not even wearing masks.

[Red 99,105]

But nothing is gonna happen cause "it's a classic TV show" and boomers love them TV gods 

[HookerDotGov 542]

They'd have to pay me to laugh at their show too. It's gotten so terrible. 

[MACATL 2,124]

Ummmm they literally tested everyone upon entry, spread them into pods and had everyone wear masks.  I’m satisfied with those efforts.  This would be a story if those things were not done.  Moving on....

[Doot 2]

I don't see the issue. If precautions were taken, what's the big deal?

[xKorix 156]

From what I gather here SNL paid $150 to the audience to comply with state rules while also following strict health guidelines to a tee? What's the scandal here? Where did they not follow the rules?

[ThisGuyTony 34,835]

A TV show can get rapid COVID tests while schools, hospitals, nursing homes, store employees, essential workers, etc don’t have access to these?