#’SNL’ paid audience $150 to get past state COVID-19 regulations

“Saturday Night Live” hosted a live audience at its season premiere over the weekend — by doling out $150 checks to audience members in order to comply with New York state’s coronavirus regulations.

About 100 audience members collected the surprise checks at the end of the iconic sketch show’s Season-48 kickoff on Saturday night at NBC’s Studio 8H, the Democrat & Chronicle reported.

Current state regulations prohibit media productions from hosting live audiences unless they are made up of paid cast, crew or employees. The audience must be no more than 100 people or 25 percent of capacity, whichever is lower, and audiences must practice 6 feet of social distance in all directions, the state says.

But the brains behind “SNL” came up with the creative solution — compensation — and dispersed the free tickets through a third-party website in order to ensure an audience of no more than 100.

“SNL has confirmed that they followed the reopening guidance, including selecting audience members through a third-party screening and casting process and compensating them for their time as paid audience members,” Health Department spokesman Jonah Bruno told The Post.

The clever maneuvering came after “SNL” creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels vowed to have a “limited in-studio audience” at the season premiere — raising questions about whether the show would be in compliance with the state’s tight COVID-19 regulations.

Sean Ludwig told the Democrat & Chronicle on Tuesday that there was no advanced mention of the $150 payout.

“We were very pleasantly surprised to be handed a $150 check as we left the theater,” he said.

Audience members also underwent strict coronavirus safety measures, including rapid tests upon entering 30 Rock. They were required to wear masks during the entirety of the show and were placed in “pods” of people who registered for tickets together.

“It was much more intensive than any other activity I’ve done during COVID in terms of safety,” Ludwig said. “The fact that we had to pass a rapid test before we even went in to a 25 percent capacity theater where everyone was required to wear a mask and then to be paid at the end — to me, they followed all the rules they were supposed to follow.”

The same protocol will be followed for upcoming NBC shows, the outlet reported. The ticketing site, 1iota, is currently down but will be back up soon.

“SNL” last hosted a live show on March 7, with its shortened Season 45 featuring virtual episodes.

Reps for NBC did not immediately return messages from The Post.