![‘Saturday Night Live’ Will Return With Live Episodes in October](https://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2017/12/snl-colin-jost-head-pic.jpg?w=980&q=75)
‘Saturday Night Live’ Will Return With Live Episodes in October
Saturday Night hasn’t been live from New York since March, when the coronavirus pandemic shut down production on SNL and pretty much every television show around the country. Saturday Night Live wound up closing out its 45th season with a series of shows produced remotely by the cast and crew from their homes. The first was hosted by Tom Hanks, the third by former cast member Kristen Wiig. That episode aired on May 9.
SNL has been dark since then, but NBC announced today that the show would not only return for its 46th season premiere on October 3, it would do so with its first live episode since the pandemic began. They have yet to announce a host or musical guest for the show.
Saturday Night Live faces some significant obstacles in returning to live tapings. The show thrives on the energy pumped out by its studio audience, something that’s all but impossible because of the continuing pandemic. If they’re going to shoot in Studio 8H, they’re putting a lot of cast and crew members in a tight space for a significant period of time, which will require some serious safety protocols to ensure everyone’s safety. Even with thorough protections, there will be some risks.
Still, SNL typically draws huge ratings in the run-up to national elections, and the Fall 2020 season should be no exception. The race plus the virus itself should provide plenty of fodder for sketches. It should be a very interesting year on Saturday Night Live, assuming they are actually able to shoot all the episodes.
Gallery — The Best TV Shows of the Year So Far:
More From 93.7 WBLK
![Buffalo Distributing More Than $6 Million In COVID Money](http://townsquare.media/site/11/files/2024/06/attachment-Buffalo-ARP-Spending-Canva.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![COVID Era Isolation and Quarantine Rules Reinstated In New York State](http://townsquare.media/site/11/files/2023/11/attachment-COVID-GettyImages-1227724555.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![COVID Tests Again Available For Free Due To Rising Infections](http://townsquare.media/site/11/files/2023/09/attachment-Free-Covid-GettyImages-1219162121.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![How Is Buffalo Going To Spend $60 Million in COVID Money?](http://townsquare.media/site/11/files/2021/07/attachment-Stimulus-GettyImages-84539020.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Ontario Health Officials Urges Mask Use As Infections Rise](http://townsquare.media/site/11/files/2022/11/attachment-Canada-mask-GettyImages-1208908257.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This Buffalo Native Leaving Popular TV Show After 20 Years](http://townsquare.media/site/10/files/2022/08/attachment-Untitled-design-29.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Additional SNAP Benefits Are Coming to New Yorkers](http://townsquare.media/site/11/files/2022/08/attachment-Food-Stamps-GettyImages-50994092.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Governor Hochul Sneakily Extends Her Pandemic Powers in New York](http://townsquare.media/site/11/files/2022/07/attachment-Gov-Hochul-GettyImages-1404967514.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![What Does Canada’s COVID Rule Changes Mean For New Yorkers](http://townsquare.media/site/10/files/2021/11/attachment-GettyImages-686898.jpg?w=980&q=75)