Saturday Night Live audience members were paid to attend show in New York

TV productions in New York are currently not allowed to host live audiences unless they consist of employees, cast members or staff

Saturday Night Live audience members were reportedly paid to attend last Saturday (3 October)’s live show.

According to The New York Times, the sketch show paid its audience members as though they were employees, in order to get around New York City’s pandemic-era guidelines.

TV productions in New York are currently not allowed to host audiences unless they consist of employees, cast members or staff.

Audiences formed of the show’s workers had to be limited to 25 per cent of the show’s usual capacity, with a maximum of 100 people.

Audience member Sean Ludwig tweeted about being paid for attending the show, and claimed he was not informed he would be paid ahead of time.

“Had an incredible time tonight at @nbcsnl,” he wrote. “Here’s the kicker: we didn’t know it until after but we were PAID for our time, likely to meet New York State’s requirements for only paid staff to be in the audience.”

The New York Times reports that Ludwig was paid a check of $150 (£116) for his attendance.

Audience members were sectioned within Studio 8H into small, socially distanced groups. They also had to undergo Covid-19 tests before attending the show, as well as temperature checks upon arrival at the Rockefeller Center. Facemasks were required to be worn at all times.

A spokeswoman for Saturday Night Live told the NYT that the show was “working closely with the Department of Health and following all of their guidelines”. 

The Independent has contacted NBC for comment.

The latest episode of SNL saw Jim Carrey make his debut performance as Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, with Maya Rudolph reprising her Emmy-winning role as Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate. 

Alec Baldwin returned to his role as Donald Trump.