Saturday Night Live UK Debuts with Mixed Reviews but Shows Promise
The first official UK incarnation of the iconic US show Saturday Night Live has premiered on Sky, sparking a wave of reactions from viewers and critics alike. With a cast of 11 actors and a writing team of 20 selected from over 1,200 applicants, the show aims to adapt the 51-year-old American format for British audiences, under the oversight of the infamous Lorne Michaels.
A Bold Start with Political Humour
The episode kicked off with a cold open featuring an impression of Keir Starmer by George Fouracres, which some found brave yet challenging due to Starmer's perceived lack of charisma. This was followed by a monologue from guest host Tina Fey, former head writer of SNL and creator of 30 Rock. While the opening felt stilted at times, it warmed up with a cameo from Nicola Coughlan and a pop quiz on Britishisms led by Graham Norton, ending on a relatively triumphant note.
Highs and Lows in Sketch Comedy
One of the stronger sketches involved a parody of a dodgy skincare product called Undérage by Pedolay, humorously suggesting it could make users look so young that people might suspect their husbands of wrongdoing. However, the show also featured a bloated sketch about David Attenborough's Last Supper with reanimated icons, which included a disturbingly good impression of Diana by Jack Shep.
Highlights included Hammed Animashaun's performances as an honest film critic and part of a team dedicated to making the internet worse, which hit their mark effectively. In contrast, a sketch about a woman giving birth to an attention-seeker was widely panned as a dud, feeling desperately laboured.
Weekend Update and Musical Performances
The Weekend Update segment, presented by Ania Magliano and Paddy Young, delivered solid jokes for grown-ups, including lines about Boris Pistorius, Saddam Walliams, and a musical adaptation of It's a Sin. A Shakespeare sketch fared well, leveraging British swearing, while a Paddington sketch and a bra-fitting routine received mixed reviews.
Musical performances by Wet Leg were described as god-awful, but the show managed to pull through with a bonkers segment called 45 Seconds with Fouracres, showcasing pitch-perfect variations on Irish heritage questions.
Overall Reception and Future Prospects
Overall, the inaugural episode of Saturday Night Live UK did not fail and could have been much worse. It left viewers with a feeling of cautious optimism, as the ambition to retool a legacy US brand for the UK market was refreshing to see. While the show had its flaws, including sketches that dragged on too long and uneven performances, it shows potential for improvement.
As the team and audience settle in over the coming weeks, there is hope for recurring characters, better rhythm, and rapport. The episode managed to avoid disaster and set a foundation that could build towards real success in future installments.
