During the Weekend Update segment on the recent SNL50 Anniversary Special, Colin Jost quipped about the challenges faced by health experts this winter due to the simultaneous presence of COVID, the flu, RSV, and norovirus, humorously labeling it a ‘quad-demic.’ Jost added, “So we did the smart thing and packed every beloved entertainer over 60 into one tiny space.”
As it turns out, his joke was actually pretty on the nose.
Current SNL cast member Chloe Fineman recently shared on Instagram that she received two positive COVID-19 test results, as reported by LateNighter. Consequently, there is a likelihood that she may have to miss the upcoming Shane Gillis / Tate McRae episode scheduled to be broadcast on March 1, 2025.
Expressing her frustration, Fineman posted on her Instagram story, stating, “This. Is. So. Annoying.” Later, she posted a follow-up message on her Instagram main feed, which was later removed.
Fineman has been a cast member since 2019 when she was added as a featured player. She was promoted up to repertory status back in 2021, and made headlines late last year after confessing that Elon Musk made her “burst into tears” when he hosted the show in May of 2021. She appeared in one sketch during the SNL50 Anniversary Special, “Domingo: Vow Renewal.”
Fineman was not the only cast member affected by illness after SNL50. Original cast member Laraine Newman contracted the flu late last week, posting a photo on her Instagram showing an inhaler and medication with the caption “SNL50.”
Steve Martin also posted on Instagram that Martin Short and Maya Rudolph had also contracted COVID-19 shortly after SNL50. Short was supposed to join Martin’s comedy tour in Knoxville and Durham; but those dates had to be rescheduled to October 17th and 18th, respectively, later this year. Martin had written in his caption that “The SNL 50th Covid curse is real” with a photo of Short and Rudolph kissing on the red carpet before the show.
It’s worth noting that Fineman was seated directly next to Short in the aforementioned Domingo sketch, which you can watch below.
Another beloved former cast member, Dana Carvey, could not make it to the anniversary special because of his own battle with the flu, which he was not advised to travel with.
Troy Juhn is a 21 year old journalist originally from Minneapolis but currently residing in NYC. He can be found @JuhnTroy on X probably ranting about Minnesota sports.
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