Emphasis on Live

“I got a call from the show letting me know I will no longer be able to play … I respect the show’s decision, because I know that I put them in jeopardy and I take ownership for this.” NPR: SNL Nixes Morgan Wallen Appearance After Singer Violates COVID-19 Safety Protocols. The show made the right call. Morgan Wallen took ownership of the mistake. Bookmark this because it’s a rare chain of events in 2020.

+ NYT: Reopening guidelines implemented by the state of New York prohibit the public from attending live television shows — unless the show pays its crowd like cast members. So SNL sent its audience home with paychecks.