Industry sources said that most of "Saturday Night Live" below-the-line production staff was fired by NBC in light of the writers strike and the fact that the show hasn't produced a new episode since November 3rd.

It was unclear exactly how many staffers were affected. Industry sources said it was upward of 50 people. NBC reps declined comment. Peacock sources said that a handful of staffers remained on the payroll.

"SNL" actors have not been formally terminated but rather placed on an unpaid "hiatus" like many other actors on shows shuttered by the strike.

"SNL" staff was "devastated" by the pinkslips, in the words of one laid-off employee, particularly given the Peacock's move to keep staffers of "Tonight Show" and "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" on the payroll for at least a few more weeks, though those staffs are much smaller than the "SNL" crew.

On Saturday night, most of the current "SNL" cast took part in a live staging of the sketch-comedy stalwart at New York's Upright Citizens Brigade theater. The sold-out $20 per-ticket performance, hosted by the comedy troupe co-founded by "SNL" player Amy Poehler, was a benefit to aid the pinkslipped production staffers. "SNL" executive producer Lorne Michaels also attended. The UCB theater will host a similar event tonight featuring the cast of NBC sitcom "30 Rock."