Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian hit Staten Island movie theater as SNL battles COVID outbreak

Saturday Night Live kicked off this weekend without an audience and most cast members, including Pete Davidson, who spent his time off at a Staten Island movie theater with rumored love interest Kim Kardashian.

Davidson was seen at the cinemas in his native borough with Kardashian and her former brother-in-law Scott Disick at around 6 p.m. Saturday night. It was unclear if they were arriving or leaving. 

Pete was wearing a light green colored jacket with his hair dyed blonde and a backpack that one Twitter user speculated may have contained his own snacks, while Kim dressed casually in all black.

Saturday Night Live usually runs at 11:30 p.m. ET but also holds a dress rehearsal at 8 p.m. every week there’s a new show. 

Several things about this weekend’s COVID-19 impacted show weren’t business as usual for the venerable variety program.

SNL usually has a dress rehearsal at 8 p.m. and runs live at 11:30, but several cast members may not be in attendance due to a rumored COVID outbreak

Davidson and Kardashian were joined by Kim’s former brother-in-law Scott Disick on their movie adventure

One online snoop noticed that Davidson may have brought his own snacks into the theater in a backpack

The Saturday Night Live stage at 30 Rockefeller Center may be a bit more empty than usual due to a rumored COVID outbreak

Saturday Night Live canceled their live audience for tonight’s show with Paul Rudd hosting and musical guest Charli XCX bowed out of her scheduled performance due to the limited number of people permitted on the set following an outbreak of positive COVID-19 cases. 

The weekly sketch comedy show was on the verge of shelving the entire production after ‘four actors’ tested positive for coronavirus and ‘three others’ have called out because they are now ‘fearful’ about coming to NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Center, according to the New York Post.

Instead, the show ran some previously taped sketches – including one taped with Davidson that host Paul Rudd said finished filming at 5:30 a.m. – and aired some past favorites, introduced by current cast member Kenan Thompson, former cast member Tina Fey and frequent host Tom Hanks.  

The only other current cast member to appear live was Michael Che, who co-hosted Weekend Update with Tina Fey sitting in for Colin Jost.  

Kim all but confirmed her romance with Davidson on Thursday’s episode of Honestly With Bari Weiss.

When asked to name her favorite Saturday Night Live cast member, the 41-year-old reality star chuckled and playfully called the question a ‘setup.’

‘What a setup, what a setup, Bari,’ the mother-of-four, who has been seen on a number of dates with Davidson, 28, mused. ‘You know who it is.’ 

Coy: Kim Kardashian dodged a question about rumored boyfriend Pete Davidson on Thursday’s episode of the Honestly With Bari Weiss podcast

Despite dodging the question, the KKW Beauty has been smitten with the comedian since filing for divorce from estranged husband Kanye West. 

SNL is just the latest New York City institution that has experienced disruptions caused by positive COVID-19 cases among staffers. The Radio City Rockettes and several Broadway productions were forced to shut down after infections were reported among staffers. 

The list of Broadway productions that were forced to suspend their plays include Company, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ain’t Too Proud, Mrs. Doubtfire, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, and Freestyle Love Supreme. 

Key members of the Brooklyn Nets professional basketball team, including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, as well as their crosstown rival New York Knicks have also been placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

The spike in COVID cases throughout the five boroughs has New Yorkers furious at Mayor Bill de Blasio and his administration for failing to make available an adequate number of COVID-19 testing kits.

In recent days, city residents have had to wait for hours in the cold and rain outside pharmacies in order to undergo testing for COVID. 

Oh no: Saturday Night Live canceled their live audience for tonight’s show with Paul Rudd hosting, and also limited the cast and crew on set due to an outbreak of positive COVID-19 cases

Michaels was said to have been ‘trying to hold on’ to get the show to air in some form, though one insider told the Post that the show’s executives were ‘not sure what they were going to do.’

Charli XCX, the musical guest for tonight’s show, bowed out of her performance due to limited staffing permitted on set

The musical guest from tonight’s scheduled airing took to social media to express her regret at not being able to perform. 

‘Due to the limited crew at tonight’s taping of snl my musical performances will no longer be able to go ahead,’  Charli XCX wrote on her Twitter account.

‘I am devastated and heartbroken.’

She then urged her fans to ‘look after yourselves out there and make sure you get vaccinated if you haven’t already.’ 

The English singer and songwriter had been slated to return as musical guest nearly six years after debuting on the show with her songs Boom Clap and Break the Rules.  

‘Due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonight’s taping of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and the show will have limited cast and crew,’ a statement read. 

‘The show continues to follow all government safety guidelines in addition to a rigorous testing protocol.’  

‘Due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonight’s taping of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and the show will have limited cast and crew,’ a statement read

Tough time: This week’s episode is set to star Paul Rudd and mark his fifth time hosting the popular comedy program; seen arriving for rehearsals earlier in the week

Challenges: It’s unclear how producers will work with and around the outbreak

The insider revealed that Cecily Strong was one of the cast members ‘who has voiced concern over the outbreak.’

This week’s episode is set to star Rudd, who was recently named People’s ‘sexiest man alive,’ and mark his fifth time hosting the popular comedy program. 

This is far from the first time the Michaels-produced show has had to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The virus outbreak halted its 45th season for about a month, but SNL was back on the air by mid-April with a ‘quarantine version’ of the show hosted by Hanks. 

The show returned to 30 Rockefeller Center for its 46th season after implementing COVID-19 protocols, but booted singer Morgan Wallen from that season’s second episode for breaking rules. 

And just last month, British singer Ed Sheeran had to perform from home after contracting the coronavirus.

New York state reported Saturday that nearly 22,000 people had tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday – eclipsing the previous day’s mark for the highest single-day total for new cases since testing became widely available. 

More than half the positive results were in the city. Omicron is expected to become the dominant coronavirus variant in many countries within weeks. 

Difficult: English singer and songwriter Charli XCX was slated to return as musical guest nearly six years after debuting on the show with her songs Boom Clap and Break the Rules; seen arriving for rehearsals earlier in the week

The spike in cases at SNL mirrors the significant increase in infections throughout the five boroughs.

After New York broke new daily case records on both Friday and Saturday, each new positive test is kicking off frantic text messages to friends and colleagues warning them to get tested, and the looming Christmas holiday is prompting scores more to seek the tests before they travel. 

The surge in demand has stretched the city’s testing capacity to the limit, with wait times of more than two hours on Saturday at some city testing centers and pharmacies in Manhattan running out of at-home test kits amid huge demand. 

Furious New Yorkers are now questioning why Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration was not prepared for the crisis, nearly a month after Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency over the Omicron threat.  

‘New York City’s test sites don’t have enough capacity, staffing or supervision,’ tweeted New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay. ‘Almost two years in, there is no excuse for making sick New Yorkers – or any sick people, anywhere – wait for hours in cold rain to get tested.’

According to the Walgreens website, no Walgreens or Duane Reade pharmacy locations in Manhattan had home test kits or appointments for PCR or rapid testing available on Saturday afternoon. 

‘We have recently seen an elevated demand for testing, and our teams are working to ensure our customers are being cared for to support this demand,’ a Walgreens spokesman told DailyMail.com in a statement. 

City-run Health + Hospitals free testing sites were overwhelmed with demand, with the Fort Hamilton site in Brooklyn reporting a wait time exceeding two hours. 

Pete Davidson’s relationship history

Carly Aquilino (2014-2015)

Prior to his rise to fame on Saturday Night Live, Pete dated Carly when they starred together on MTV’s Guy Code and Girl Code. Although the romance didn’t work out, Pete and Carly stayed friends and he later described her as ‘one of the coolest chicks I’ve ever met’ and said they still ‘hang out all the time’ following the split. 

 

Cazzie David (2016-2018) 

 

Pete dated Cazzie, who is the daughter of comedian Larry David, for two years and made several public appearances together. He went on to date Ariana Grande soon after they parted ways.

 Following their break up, Cazzie penned a emotional essay About Their Breakup, in which he revealed Pete ended things via text.  

Ariana Grande (2018)

In the same month he split from Cazzie, Pete began dating singer Ariana. The relationship progressed quickly and the couple were engaged after only a matter of weeks. They broke up in November, with Pete admitting he ‘knew it was over’ after Ariana was left grieving the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller. Ariana later mentioned Pete in her hit single ‘Thank U, Next’.

 

Kate Beckinsale (2019)

 

Pete then moved on with actress Kate Beckinsale, who was twenty years his senior. They were first linked with that January and dated until at least April. Pete admitted the age difference ‘never bothered’ the couple. A source told In Touch that Pete was ‘an exciting breath of fresh air’ for Kate.

Margaret Qually (2019) 

Shortly after parting ways with Kate, Pete was linked to actress Margaret Qually. A source told Us: ‘They’ve been seeing each other for a couple of months and Margaret is really excited about him.’ It didn’t appear to be a serious romance however, with the pair reportedly dating for just two months between August and October 2019. 

 

Kaia Gerber (2019-2020)

 

Pete quickly moved on from Margaret to date model Kaia Gerber, who is the daughter of Cindy Crawford. The pair were seen holding hands a few times but the whirlwind romance came to an end after just three months in January 2020. 

Shortly after he sought treatment Sierra Tucson treatment center in Arizona.  

When asked about their split during an interview with Charlamagne Tha God, he confirmed they dated ‘for a few months’ but said she was ‘very young’ and he was going ‘through a lot.’ 

Phoebe Dynevor (2021)

Bridgerton star Phoebe and Pete confirmed their romance in April 2021 when they were spotted on a stroll in Stoke. 

Rumours were swirling in about their relationship status in weeks before the sighting. A source told People that Pete is ‘telling friends he is serious about Phoebe’. 

Speculation of the relationship began in March when Pete was snapped visiting Phoebe’s native Manchester while she visited New York, where he lives, in February. 

In August, they broke up after trying to make things work long distance ‘put a strain’ on their relationship. 

 

A look back at Kim Kardashian’s love life

As the reality star is linked to SNL funnyman Pete Davidson, DailyMail.com takes a look back at Kim Kardashian’s relationship history and her celebrity romances.

Damon Thomas (2000-2004)

At just 19, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star married producer Damon Thomas, who is ten years her senior. Their short-lived marriage only three years before she filed for divorce, which she later revealed to be quite turbulent as he allegedly subjected her to physical abuse. 

 The KKW Beauty mogul, who admitted to being high on ecstasy when they eloped during a chat with Scott Disick back on her reality show in 2018, claimed in divorce papers he ‘punched’ her, to which he has denied. 

She also accused him of slamming her against a wall and throwing ‘throw her across the room, leaving her bruised and battered.’ Additionally, he reportedly made her quit her job, according to their divorce papers, which were filed at Los Angeles Superior Court back in 2003.

Toxic relationship: At just 19, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star married producer Damon Thomas, who is ten years her senior (pictured)

Ray J (2003 to 2006) 

Just one year after her divorce, she began a relationship with singer Ray J after working as a stylist for his sister. While the pair’s relationship only spanned less than three years, it remains one of her most notable romances as a sex tape of them leaked, which propelled her to stardom.

Despite never initially suing Vivid Entertainment to prevent its release, they came to an agreement and settled for a ‘financial arrangement’ the company’s co-chairman told TMZ, at the time. 

While the former couple have rarely spoken about their relationship, Ray J described Kim as ‘the same kind of player’ as him and they they ‘were both cheaters’ on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017. 

Three years together: She and Ray J dated on and off from 2002 to 2006 (seen together in March 2006)

 Nick Lachey (2006) 

Next, she began seeing Nick Lachey, who stated in 2019 they were never serious. While speaking of their ‘one date together’ to watch The Da Vinci Code in 2006, the ex-husband of Jessica Simpson said calling her an ex of his would be ‘a little bit of a liberal use of the term.’

‘She left about halfway through and went to the restroom and then shockingly there were 25 paparazzi when we left the theater,’ he said on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. I ‘think there were other things in play on our little rendezvous.’

 Regardless, he said Kim couldn’t have been ‘a nicer girl’ and they had a ‘great time.’  

Casual: Next, she began seeing Nick Lachey, who stated in 2019 they were never serious as they only went on one date; seen in 2009 at Derby Spectacular Celebration in Louisville, Kentucky

Kim Kardashian and Nick Cannon (2006 to 2007)

Despite describing the mother-of-four as ‘one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,’ they ended things over a discussion about her sex tape, which he claims Kim denied entirely. 

During an interview on The Howard Stern Show, the ex-husband of Mariah Carey said: ‘This was my issue. We talked about this tape…And she told me there was no tape.’

‘The fact that she lied and told me that there was no tape?’ he said was his deal-breaker. ”I still think she might have even had a part to play with [its release].’

Hurtful: Despite describing the mother-of-four as ‘one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,’ they ended things over a discussion about her sex tape, which he claims Kim denied entirely; seen in 2006

Reggie Bush (2007 to 2010)

Kim and the NFL star were on-and-off from 2007 until 2010, as her fame rose on Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Despite a promising romance, they ultimately parted ways because they weren’t able to spend enough time together.

Toward the end of their relationship, he made the decision as Kim began ‘pushing for marriage’ after seeing younger sister tie the knot with then-husband Lamar Odom, according to RadarOnline.com.

At the time, he reportedly told her that he wants a wife ‘that is a support system to him’ and ‘stay at home mom to his children.’ Knowing her ‘drive and ambition,’ Bush knew she was  ‘just not the right kind of girl for him to marry.’

Kim and Reggie Bush were on-and-off from 2007 until 2010, as her fame rose on KWUTK. Despite a promising romance, they split because they weren’t able to spend enough time together; seen in 2010

Miles Austin (June 2010)

Kim and Miles Austin embarked on a brief summer romance, which fizzled out pretty quickly due to long distance. 

Most of their relationship was spent apart due to his schedule with the Dallas Cowboys and hers to filming KUWTK. By September, they mutally went ‘their separate ways,’ according to People.

A week before the breakup, however, they were said to be ‘the real deal’ and stronger than ever, which raised eyebrows.  

What could have been: Kim and Miles Austin embarked on a brief summer romance, which fizzled out pretty quickly due to long distance

Kris Humphries (2010)

Kim infamously wed basketball star Kris Humphries for 72 days in 2011. 

During the Keeping Up With The Kardashians reunion, which aired in June 2021, she admitted to having cold feet the night before the wedding, but felt it was too late to back out. 

The aspiring lawyer said she feared that if she left that she would be known forever as the runaway bride and that ‘it will be a huge joke.’

She then confessed that the TV wedding did push her down the aisle as she didn’t want to ‘let everyone down.’

Humphries, evangelical Christian, petitioned for an annulment after Kardashian filed divorce papers because he felt defrauded.  

Regrettable romance: Kim infamously wed basketball star Kris Humphries for 72 days in 2011; seen in 2011

Kanye West (2012-2021) 

In February, Kim filed for divorce after six years of marriage from the father of her four children North, eight, Saint, five, Chicago, three, and two-year-old Psalm. 

They had reportedly been living separately for some time and have plans to share legal and physical custody of their youngsters. 

A source also confirmed to DailyMail.com that Kim has filed for divorce. ‘The split is amicable and there is no drama,’ the insider shared. 

The tension reportedly started in July 2020 when he decided to run for President of the United States and ranted he wanted North aborted, but Kim refused. He also called Kim’s mother Kris Jenner ‘Kris Jong Un.’ 

Tragic: In February, Kim filed for divorce after six years of marriage from the father of her four children North, eight, Saint, five, Chicago, three, and two-year-old Psalm; pictured in 2012