Published on March 26, 2026
‘Saturday Night Live’ is an American comedy institution that has propelled the careers of countless performers and writers, from Chevy Chase to Kate McKinnon, Larry David to Conan O’Brien, Eddie Murphy to Seth Meyers. This legacy prompted Lorne Michaels, the legendary executive producer, to replicate a successful formula when crafting a British franchise for Sky One: ‘Saturday Night Live UK.’
Despite Britain’s rich tradition of acerbic satirical humor, the adaptation stuck closely to its American roots, making its debut on Sky One resembling the U.S. original in structure, look, and feel. The show’s opening credits featured cast members wandering the streets of London, a direct mimicry of the U.S. version. The set was virtually identical, and it followed the same playbook with its trademark opening monologue, Weekend Update, musical guests, and the blend of live and pre-recorded sketches.
American ‘SNL’ icon Tina Fey graced the opening episode as its first guest host, ensuring a recognizable tone and style. Consequently, the inaugural episode delivered what viewers might anticipate: a series of lengthy sketches performed with the enthusiasm reminiscent of a student improv group.
The cold open featured George Fouracres impersonating British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside Hammed Animashaun as Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Jack Shep as a Gen Z adviser dubbed “Starmzy.” The sketch, bloated and on the dull side, showcased Fouracres’ Starmer pondering an uncomfortable break-up call with U.S. President Donald Trump over the Iran conflict. Yet, it concluded with the obligatory shout: “Live from London, it’s Saturday Night!”
Fey’s monologue mirrored the often awkward celebrity introductions typical of the American show, featuring cameos from notable figures such as ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Derry Girls’ star Nicola Coughlan, ‘Superbad’ and ‘Juno’ actor Michael Cera, and chat show staple Graham Norton.
The live sketches tackled topics from David Attenborough hosting a last supper to a Hollywood movie star confronted with the harsh realities of their film’s reception, including a hospital birth sketch and a spoof of ‘Hamnet’ alongside an exaggerated ad for a product aimed at boosting women’s confidence in their breast size. The pre-recorded segments included a parody for a skin cream called “Underage,” an IT department dedicated to annoying users online, and a cringe-worthy Paddington-themed tourist experience.
Unfortunately, the majority of these entries felt overly long and lacked sufficient comedic impact. The rare moment of humor, such as Jack Shep’s impersonation of Princess Diana, was dragged out to the point of exhaustion. Observing the cast reading from autocues during live performances also proved frustrating for viewers.
The ‘Weekend Update’ segment followed suit, mirroring its NBC counterpart with a slew of supposedly satirical jokes concerning Donald Trump and the British monarchy. Its approach left one longing for the sharper wit found in British satire exemplified ‘Private Eye,’ ‘Have I Got News For You,’ and ‘Spitting Image.’
During Fey’s monologue, Cera made a notable comment about the cast’s ability to swear—distinguishing feature from its American counterpart. However, relying on profanity may not suffice for UK audiences looking for substance and originality.
For ‘SNL UK’ to carve its niche in the British comedy landscape, it requires sharper, more concise sketches that resonate with the UK political landscape, rather than relying on American perspectives. There is also a need to embrace Britain’s penchant for surreal humor, harkening back to legends like The Goons and Monty Python.
One highlight of the night emerged in a segment called ’45 Seconds with Fouracres,’ where George Fouracres delivered a catchy, provocative song in the vein of Bob Mortimer titled ‘What Kind of Irish Is Your Granddad?’ While not a definitive standout, it showcased glimpses of potential.
The musical guest, Wet Leg, underwhelmed, merely serving to fill time. ’s conclusion, Fouracres and Animashaun appeared to be the most promising cast members, but they require a bit more creative freedom.
With seven more episodes on the horizon, ‘SNL UK’ has ample opportunity to redefine itself a distinct identity separate from its U.S. predecessor. The lingering question remains: are Sky One’s NBC owners and Lorne Michaels prepared to grant them that freedom?
The first episode of ‘Saturday Night Live UK’ aired on March 21, 2026.
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