In a nod to its American counterpart, the debut of Saturday Night Live UK kicked off with a politically themed opening sketch.
The scene depicted a nervous Keir Starmer, portrayed by George Fouracres, as he hesitated to take a phone call from President Donald Trump.
“Oh dear! What if Donald yells at me? What should I respond?” the character of the British Prime Minister inquires of his deputy, David Lammy, played by Hammed Animashaun. After some persuasion, he picks up the call and starts referencing historical collaborations to curry favor.
“Hello Donald. I’m sorry, I can’t join you in war, but let’s stay friends,” Starmer says. “The UK and the US share a rich history of teamwork that nothing can erase. Think back to the better days: D-Day, Live Aid, the initial phase of Iraq — and let’s not talk about the rest… recall Helen Baxendale on Friends, Hugh Laurie on Friends, the London episode of Friends, and the one where Joey wears all Chandler’s clothes – that was hilarious!
“Above all, remember when Ross and Rachel were on a break. Maybe that’s what we need… not permanently, just until you’re over this war phase. Look, our goals aren’t aligned… I understand your eagerness to start World War III, and that’s fine, you should pursue that, but we can’t be involved. You’re still welcome to use our naval bases, though.”
After the call, Lammy comments: “Well done, sir. You managed the absolute minimum, and that’s all that’s expected of you.”
The video of this sketch is available above.
Before breaking into her monologue, Tina Fey discussed the rationale behind creating a British version of the iconic American show. As she opened the first episode of SNL UK, she humorously remarked, “Like many of America’s big ventures these days, it’s hard to say why this one exists.”
Her monologue was briefly interrupted by Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan who, from the audience, inquired why an American was hosting the inaugural episode of Saturday Night Live UK.
Fey, highlighting her previous extensive experience on the original SNL, responded, “To put it nicely, none of you wanted to do it for this first one.”
Amidst the audience’s laughter, Coughlan retorted that Fey should “educate yourself” on the differences between Irish and British people. Michael Cera, the Arrested Development star, chimed in surprised at the inclusion of profanity in the UK version, playfully using the terms “Shitbird” and “fucking bollocks.” He also noted his Canadian identity, reminding the audience of Canada’s membership in the British Commonwealth.
Television host Graham Norton also made an appearance, remarking that the show was being filmed in the same studio as his own popular series, The Graham Norton Show. He too questioned Fey’s qualifications.
Impressively, given the live setting, Fey showcased her knowledge of British comedy, with spot-on impressions from Fawlty Towers, Are You Being Served, Monty Python, and even the viral Jet 2 Holidays advert.
The video below captures these moments.
The UK premiere of SNL this evening comes fifty years after its American launch. Fey, a pivotal figure in the modern era of SNL, was brought in to lend some credibility to the UK version. The format has seen adaptations in various countries including Japan, France, Italy, and Korea.
The show’s start almost turned chaotic as a Leeds United-Brentford English Premier League match extended into injury time. Right after the match concluded with a 0-0 tie, the broadcast swiftly transitioned to the new sketch show, just making the scheduled 10pm airing.
Fey hosted the first episode, with Wet Leg as the musical guest. They joined the debut cast of SNL UK which includes Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young.
The show’s reception has been mixed, with some skepticism within the UK industry about whether the series can justify its substantial investment by Sky. A veteran TV industry insider called it the “slowest car crash in TV history” before the episode aired, reflecting broader concerns about adapting the American late-night TV format to British tastes.
However, initial reactions have been generally favorable, with many sketches hitting the mark and Fey’s role receiving particular acclaim.
UK comedians have defended SNL UK, underscoring the rarity and significance of a well-funded sketch show in Britain. Stevie Martin, an actress from the Channel 4 sketch show Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping, fervently criticized the naysayers.
Martin encouraged audiences to give SNL UK a fair chance, suggesting that even if it doesn’t appeal to everyone, it could pave the way for more appealing shows in the future. She lamented the current state of TV sketch comedy in the UK, urging support for the new endeavor.
Following positive feedback, the series has been extended by two additional episodes for a total of eight.
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