SNL UK: First Impressions of Britain’s New Comedy Show
Great Britain’s debut of “Saturday Night Live UK” this weekend was met with a mix of cautious optimism and familiar cynicism, as the long-awaited adaptation of the American comedy institution attempted to establish itself in a media landscape already saturated with homegrown satire. The premiere, hosted by Tina Fey, aired on Saturday, March 21st, and featured sketches ranging from political jabs at Prime Minister Keir Starmer to absurdist humor involving Paddington Bear.
The arrival of a British “SNL” has been a recurring ambition for decades, consistently thwarted by a preference for established British comedic voices and formats. Shows like “Have I Got News For You” and “The Mash Report” have long dominated the political satire space, while sketch comedy has thrived through acts like Fry & Laurie and Mitchell & Webb. Previous attempts to replicate the “SNL” formula have failed to gain traction, leaving many to question the necessity of yet another iteration.
The original “Saturday Night Live” has maintained a 50-year run in the United States, becoming a cultural touchstone. However, its quality has often been inconsistent, a fact acknowledged by critics reviewing the UK launch. The British version, produced in partnership with Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video, aims to differentiate itself through a cast of largely unknown performers – including Scottish comic Larry Dean and “Taskmaster”’s Ania Magliano and Emma Sidi – and a willingness to embrace more risqué humor. The presence of Tina Fey as the inaugural host was seen as a strategic move, providing a familiar face and a degree of credibility to the new venture.
The premiere opened with a political sketch centered on Prime Minister Starmer’s apprehension about a phone call with Donald Trump, incorporating Gen-Z slang in an attempt to bridge the generational gap. Reviews were mixed, with some characterizing the sketch as predictable and reliant on “political satire 101.” A minor laugh was reportedly elicited by Starmer’s nostalgic reference to D-Day, but the sketch was criticized for its length.
The production mirrored the American “SNL” in many respects, including the set design and band. However, the British iteration leaned into its potential for more explicit content, exemplified by a sketch involving an anti-aging cream with unexpectedly dark implications. This willingness to embrace “cheeky raunch” and “gross prosthetics,” particularly in the Paddington Bear sketch, was highlighted as a key differentiator. The show also made frequent use of profanity, a hallmark of British humor.
Fey’s performance was praised for its professionalism and her ability to navigate unfamiliar cultural references. Cameos from Nicola Coughlan, Graham Norton, and Michael Cera added star power to the opening monologue. Standout performances from the resident cast included Jack Shep’s impression of Princess Diana and Hammed Animashaun’s portrayal of a blunt journalist. However, sketches like the David Attenborough dinner party, featuring wobbly impersonations, were deemed less successful.
A recurring theme in the reviews was the tension between adhering to the American “SNL” formula and forging a distinctly British identity. Sketches that felt overly derivative, such as the movie parody of “Hamnet,” were criticized. Conversely, a brief, surreal segment featuring George Foreacres performing Irish impressions – described as “a weird random aside” – was lauded as a promising glimpse into the show’s potential future. This segment was noted for its un-American quality, prioritizing absurdity and individual talent over established tropes.
The “Weekend Update” segment, helmed by Paddy Young and Ania Magliano, offered a familiar format with a more explicit edge. The show acknowledged the British tendency to be critical of new ventures, even making a self-deprecating joke about it. Despite the challenges, the premiere demonstrated potential, particularly with a talented cast still developing its voice. The show’s producers have yet to announce a schedule for future episodes or guest hosts.