When Saturday Night Live first aired in the US in 1975, it was chaotic and anarchic. Now, more than 50 years later, the format has been refashioned for British audiences as Saturday Night Live UK. The debut episode on Sky One, hosted by American comedian Tina Fey, aimed to capture the original magic but delivered a mixed bag of sketches.
Fey, a longtime SNL employee, joked in her opening monologue that no British host would take the job. She proved a capable guide for the young cast, which includes Taskmaster's Emma Sidi. However, the show faces challenges: it airs on Sky One, which few Brits have access to, and has only been commissioned for eight episodes compared to the US version's 20. The creators seem to rely on the show working as a collection of shareable clips rather than a linear TV programme.
The episode had several misses, including a tedious David Attenborough sketch that lacked a punchline, and an uninspired swipe at Keir Starmer. But there were hits too: a de-aging serum sketch leading to a husband being targeted by paedophile hunters, a Paddington immersive experience with a grizzly bear, and a sharp Weekend Review segment. Jack Shep's impression of Princess Diana was particularly praised as spot-on.
While some gags risked offence, the show played it safe with the formula, importing the US structure of monologue, sketches, fake adverts, and musical guests. This lack of irreverence makes it feel like tepid cosplay at times. However, judging by the first episode alone is unwise; the cast needs time to gel, and social media reactions will likely shape future sketches.
