“Saturday Night Live” skipped its usual cold open on Saturday, instead delivering a message of support to Paris after Friday’s attacks. 
 
 “Paris is the City of Light. And here in New York City, we know that light will never go out,” said Cecily Strong, a cast member who seemed to be holding back tears, at the top of the show. “Our love and support is with everyone there tonight. We stand with you.” She then delivered the same phrase in French. 
 
 The actress Elizabeth Banks hosted the show, and the band Disclosure provided the music with guest spots from Sam Smith and Lorde. 
 
 “Saturday Night Live” notably skipped its cold open after the 9/11 attacks. The show instead presented Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani with a group of emergency workers and a performance by Paul Simon. ||||| Given the tragic events that occurred in Paris just 30 hours earlier, Saturday Night Live opted to begin their latest episode with a show of solidarity to France instead of their usual cold open. "Paris is the city of light, and here in New York City, we know that light will never go out," Cecily Strong told the audience. "Our love and support is with everyone there tonight. We stand with you." Strong then delivered SNL's message again, this time in French. 
 
 Related Nearly 100 Dead After Paris Concert Terrorist Attack Hostage situation ends after police storm venue where Eagles of Death Metal were playing 
 
 Over 120 people were killed and over 350 people were injured in Friday's terror attacks on Paris, with many of the victims from an Eagles of Death Metal concert at the city's Bataclan venue. ISIS has since claimed responsibility for the attacks, which also claimed the life of Eagles of Death Metal merchandise manager Nick Alexander. 
 
 Strong ended the powerful, unique cold open by then announcing, "And now, live from New York, it's Saturday night."
– Barely a day after the devastating attacks in Paris, the show went on for Saturday Night Live—but not without a salute to the grieving French capital, reports Rolling Stone. "Paris is the city of light, and here in New York City, we know that light will never go out," a teary Cecily Strong said, in lieu of the show's traditional cold opening. "Our love and support is with everyone there tonight. We stand with you." She repeated the message in French, then kicked the show off with SNL's traditional, "And now, live from New York, it's Saturday night." The show has forgone its cold opening one other times, notes the New York Times: The show after the 9/11 attacks.