Saturday Night Live forced to change musical guests due to COVID
By Matt Moore
Saturday Night Live returns on January 15 with host Ariana DeBose. However, scheduled musical guest Roddy Ricch will not join her in Studio 8H.
The rapper revealed on Instagram that due to a COVID-19 exposure, he would not perform on SNL. Ricch himself did not test positive but stated that a member of his team did. As a precautionary measure, he announced he would not perform on SNL. However, the show and the Roddy Ricch are working on a new date.
The band Bleachers has been tapped as the replacement musical guest. Led by Jack Antonoff, the band released the album Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night in July 2021.
Saturday Night Live is expected to feature a full cast and crew, as well as a live studio audience when Ariana DeBose hosts on January 15.
Saturday Night Live continues to make the most of its COVID situation
This won’t be the first time COVID-19 has forced a pivot from Saturday Night Live in season 47. The December 18 episode hosted by Paul Rudd was turned on its head by the omicron virus in New York City.
Most of the cast and crew stayed home as Rudd introduced pretaped sketches and Christmas classics. He was joined by Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, and special guests Tom Hanks and Tina Fey.
Earlier this season, Ed Sheeran almost had to drop out due to a positive COVID test. However, the singer was able to clear protocols in time to perform on the November 6 episode.
Fans will also recall that Morgan Wallen was set to appear early in season 46. Then, a video surfaced of him out partying instead of in quarantine. SNL replaced him with Jack White but brought the country star back in a later episode.
Related Story. Seth Meyers cancels shows after positive COVID test. light
Are you disappointed that Roddy Ricch won’t perform on Saturday Night Live? What do you think of Bleachers as the replacement? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.