Dwell from New Yo- Cling on. I imply: Dwell from London, it’s Saturday evening!
From subsequent 12 months, 2026, UK leisure large Sky will convey the beloved American topical comedy present, SNL (Saturday Evening Dwell) to audiences within the UK and Eire.
When you’re not conversant in it, Saturday Evening Dwell consists of a mixture of sketches, musical performances and superstar visitors. Every sequence has a core solid, and every episode is hosted by a unique superstar host who opens the present with a monologue and options in sketches.
Within the US, SNL has launched a number of the largest comedy careers – assume Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, Kristen Wiig, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Kate McKinnon, Jimmy Fallon… I might go on and on. It even spawned a sitcom, 30 Rock, primarily based on the format.
You’ll have undoubtedly seen clips from SNL circulating on the web – the great, the unhealthy and the ugly.
This information has left me with combined reactions, and there are three issues I need to know.
We already know a part of this reply, as Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content material Officer, Sky, confirmed: “The present has found and nurtured numerous comedy and musical skills through the years and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL workforce to convey an all-British model of the present to UK audiences subsequent 12 months.”
That quote confirms that the solid shall be British, however will they be recent faces? The magic of SNL is usually bringing new expertise to the desk, not simply showcasing current names. We don’t have an equal present within the UK – the closest springboard for brand new expertise can be panel reveals comparable to Would I Lie To You? and Mock The Week.
The UK is stuffed with rising comedy expertise – many make their debuts at festivals comparable to The Edinburgh Fringe, whereas others carry out repeatedly at one of many many comedy and improv faculties dotted across the nation – a number of the largest embrace Hoopla and The Free Affiliation.
I’m conserving my fingers crossed that the UK SNL solid isn’t made up of family names. Whereas, sure, established comedians will carry out nicely as hosts or as one or two acquainted faces within the solid, it’s a very good alternative to present some newbies an opportunity. It might additionally assist a UK SNL to create a definite id that’s separate from all the present British quiz and comedy reveals by which the identical faces pop up time and again.
The place will SNL UK be primarily based?
This may increasingly sound like a boring query on the floor, however it’s not when you think about how iconic and highly effective the set and historical past of SNL US is.
Studio 8H The Rockefeller Heart is a part of the present’s id. It’s spawned excursions for vacationers, on the lookout for a glimpse of the place the motion takes place. The central New York location performs an enormous half in that.
So, what’s the choice for the UK? The press launch confirmed the present shall be filmed in London.
Elstree is definitely an possibility, which homes many studios owned by Sky and can also be the house of many different reside reveals, together with Strictly Come Dancing, The Chase, The Voice UK and even scripted reveals comparable to Gangs of London.
Nonetheless, Elstree just isn’t technically London. It’s 20 minutes away on the prepare, positive, however it’s in Hertfordshire.
BBC/Ray Burmiston
Another choice might be Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, which is the brand new residence of Have I Obtained Information For You. This can be a correct theatre (I can attest to that, having been a number of instances myself), so can be appropriate for musical performances and brief scenes.
I hope that SNL UK finds a house that’s simply as iconic as The Rockefeller – if it desires to cement itself as a brand new TV staple, it’s one thing that shouldn’t be ignored.
…will SNL UK be any good?
The editors at my web site definitely greeted the information of a British SNL with combined reactions.
Why? Nicely, it’s no secret that SNL’s high quality has assorted through the years because it began in 1975. You’ll be able to see how it’s thought of to have fluctuated within the chart under – seasons 26 to 29 had been significantly tough:
Saturday Evening Dwell / Reddit
It’s clearly not a straightforward present to place collectively. Most sketches are written that week, with the hosts and performers solely getting a few alternatives to practise the sketches – if in any respect. I’ve definitely watched a couple of performances from behind my fingers as I cringe.
The Submit additionally factors out that the sequence has seen a decline in viewership and struggles particularly to interact youthful audiences. But it surely’s definitely not all unhealthy – I really like watching the weekend updates with lead writers Colin Jost and Michael Che, whose jokes don’t pull any punches.
So, will SNL UK have the identical pitfalls? It has the advantage of being utterly recent, and it’s govt produced by SNL’s creator Lorne Michaels, who will be capable of convey years of experience to the desk. But it surely gained’t have the viewers goodwill and legendary standing conferred on it in US tradition by SNL’s influential historical past and iconic names.
In the end, we gained’t know the reply till SNL UK hits Sky Max and Now in 2026.
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