Aimee Lou Wood has launched her tenure as host of Saturday Night Live UK by cleverly referencing the US show's controversial sketch that mocked her teeth. Last year, the British actor found herself at the center of a media storm after her character in The White Lotus was parodied on Saturday Night Live.
Cast member Sarah Sherman wore exaggerated prosthetic teeth to caricature Wood's appearance, a move the British actor publicly criticized on social media. Now, Wood, 32, is returning to the franchise as host of the UK spin-off airing this weekend (2 May). In a pre-episode teaser clip, she directly addresses the controversy alongside cast members Ayoade Bamgboye, Al Nash, Celeste Dring, and Paddy Young.
In the clip, Wood approaches the cast, all of whom except Young are covering their mouths with their hands. 'I cannot wait to get started; you know, especially after the whole thing in America with the teeth. So it's going to feel good to just wipe the slate clean,' she says, as the others murmur in agreement. Wood then asks why they are covering their mouths, exclaiming, 'Oh my god. Have you guys got fake teeth in?'
While the cast insists they do not, Wood retorts, 'Wow, this is all just one big set up to humiliate me, then. I thought SNL UK would be different, but I was wrong.' However, Bamgboye reveals that the team instead 'grew big glorious moustaches,' as the comedians uncover stick-on moustaches to match Young's real facial hair. 'We saw Paddy getting all of this love online, and we assumed it was because of the 'tache, so,' Nash explains, as they bestow a fake moustache on Wood and embrace her in a group hug.
Originally reacting to the US SNL parody last April, Wood stated it was a 'shame' the show chose to mock her appearance. 'Yes, take the piss for sure – that's what the show is about – but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?' she wrote on social media. She later clarified she wasn't 'hating' on Sherman but the sketch's 'concept.' SNL apologized, and Sherman sent Wood flowers.
Wood will host the sixth episode of SNL UK's first series, following Nicola Coughlan, Jack Whitehall, Riz Ahmed, Jamie Dornan, and Tina Fey. Singer Meek is the musical guest.
