SNL is making some quick change-ups to their Christmas episode hosted by Austin Butler.
Previously, Yeah Yeah Yeahs were set to close out 2022. But shortly after last week’s episode aired, the band tweeted they were bowing out due to guitarist Nick Zinner’s illness.
“As many of our fans know Nick has had pneumonia over the past month and it’s been an up and down recovery process. The band’s top priority is supporting Nick through a full recovery, as a result we had to pull out from our engagements of KROQ’s Acoustic Christmas and Saturday Night Live,” the band wrote on Twitter.
“We are deeply thankful and expectedly heartbroken we cannot rise to these occasions,” the group continued. “t’s been a tough week, and it’s been a tough year on the health front for us alongside so many artists who are committed to connecting with audiences amidst a pandemic.” They look forward to a “strong return” in 2023.
Although Yeah Yeah Yeahs fans expected to see them perform, all is not lost. Lizzo has graciously stepped in as their replacement. “It’s an honor to fill in for the yeah yeah yeahs who unfortunately could not perform next week,” Lizzo added in a tweet.
Earlier this year, Lizzo pulled double duty when she made her hosting debut and her second musical guest appearance. She performed “About Damn Time” and “Special.”
On tonight’s episode, Lizzo chose to perform “Break Up Twice” for her first song. She made a reference to “Blue Monday” by Annie Lee that fans immediately praised her for.
You can watch the performance above. She also did “Someday at Christmas,” which you can watch below.
