Quinta Brunson, known for creating and starring in ABC’s Abbott Elementary, will be hosting Saturday Night Live on April 1, marking her debut on the show. The actress will be accompanied by rapper and singer Lil Yachty as a musical guest.
Brunson’s SNL debut coincides with a potential strike by the post-production editors of the show. A group of editors has threatened to boycott the show from April 1 over pay and compensation issues with NBCUniversal.
Quinta Brunson to Make SNL Debut on April 1
Brunson will be transitioning from a classroom in Abbott Elementary to a live studio audience with her first appearance on SNL. However, she is not new to comedy as she previously worked on the sketch A Black Lady Sketch Show and as a content creator with BuzzFeed.
The 33 year old actress was announced as a host during this week’s episode, which aired on March 11. The episode was hosted by Wednesday star Jenna Ortega and saw Travis Kelce and Woody Harrelson as guest hosts.
Quinta and Lil Yachty! pic.twitter.com/QYLO0UqYzG
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) March 12, 2023
Miles McCollum, known by his stage name Lil Yachty, will also make his SNL debut as a guest host. The rapper recently released his fifth studio album, Let’s Start Here, which debuted at number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart.
SNL Editors have Threatened to Go on Strike from April 1
A group of post-production editors represented by the Motion Picture Editors Guild are expected to go on strike from April 1. The editors have demanded that NBCUniversal pays them industry-standard rates and provide appropriate health benefits. They have been trying to negotiate a contract with the company since October of last year.
“Members of the ‘SNL’ editing team are paid rates far below industry standards, while colleagues working other jobs on the show receive pay appropriate to their crafts,” reads a reporter on the matter.
NBC is reportedly eyeing to resolve the issue by the end of this month to avoid any inconvenience in producing SNL. It remains to be seen if the negotiations reach a conclusion before April 1 or if the episode is bothered by the strike.
Alan Heim, president of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, has released a statement on the issue: “Strikes are not funny, and it’s also not funny that NBCU is driving us to take this step to guarantee fair pay and benefits for our members.”
“The fact is that these workers play a key role in making ‘SNL’ the comedy institution that it is, and they deserve the same standards as other workers on the show have,” he added. NBC is yet to give an official statement.
SNL is in its 48th Season Currently
Saturday Night Live is currently airing its 48th season. The show is produced by Broadway Video and SNL Studios with distribution by NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. Lorne Michaels serves as the creator, with Liz Patrick as director.
Other celebs who have hosted the current season include Pedro Pascal, Michael B. Jordan, Keke Palmer, Aubrey Plaza, Austin Butler, Steve Martin & Martin Short, Miles Teller, Dave Chappelle, Megan Thee Stallion, Amy Schumer, Jack Harlow, and Brendan Gleeson.
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