SNL considers returning to the studio this fall without an audience

Variety

Variety reports that Lorne Michaels and NBC are discussing filming Saturday Night Live in a "controlled" environment with limited crew and no audience while taking coronavirus precautions. Michaels already has a model on how to return to the studio with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which returned last week in a smaller studio while social distancing from his band and crew. Michaels would prefer to be back in the studio since SNL usually thrives in the run-up to the presidential election.