SNL Paid Audience Members $150 Bucks Each!

The season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" had a socially-distanced audience. But only because the show PAID them.

And no, it wasn't due to the quality of the comedy. Thanks to COVID restrictions in New York State, in-person audiences aren't allowed unless they're paid, as employees would be.

One guy who was there says everybody got a check for $150 after the show. Quote, "We had no idea we would be paid before we were handed checks. We were all very pleasantly surprised."

(Photo: Getty Images)