Live from New Yo- Hang on. I mean: Live from London, it’s Saturday night!
From next year, 2026, UK entertainment giant Sky will bring the beloved American topical comedy show, SNL (Saturday Night Live) to audiences in the UK and Ireland.
If you’re not familiar with it, Saturday Night Live includes a mix of sketches, musical performances and celebrity guests. Each series has a core cast, and each episode is hosted by a different celebrity host who opens the show with a monologue and features in sketches.
In the US, SNL has launched some of the biggest comedy careers – think Will Ferrell, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, Kristen Wiig, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Kate McKinnon, Jimmy Fallon… I could go on and on. It even spawned a sitcom, 30 Rock, based on the format.
You’ll have undoubtedly seen clips from SNL circulating on the internet – the good, the bad and the ugly.
This news has left me with mixed reactions, and there are three things I want to know.
We already know part of this answer, as Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer, Sky, confirmed: “The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year.”
That quote confirms that the cast will be British, but will they be fresh faces? The magic of SNL is often bringing new talent to the table, not just showcasing existing names. We don’t have an equivalent show in the UK – the closest springboard for new talent would be panel shows such as Would I Lie To You? and Mock The Week.
The UK is full of emerging comedy talent – many make their debuts at festivals such as The Edinburgh Fringe, while others perform regularly at one of the many comedy and improv schools dotted around the country – some of the biggest include Hoopla and The Free Association.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the UK SNL cast isn’t made up of household names. While, yes, established comedians will perform well as hosts or as one or two familiar faces in the cast, it’s a good opportunity to give some newbies a chance. It would also help a UK SNL to create a distinct identity that’s separate from all the current British quiz and comedy shows in which the same faces pop up again and again.
Where will SNL UK be based?
This may sound like a boring question on the surface, but it’s not when you consider how iconic and powerful the set and history of SNL US is.
Studio 8H The Rockefeller Center is part of the show’s identity. It’s spawned tours for tourists, looking for a glimpse of where the action takes place. The central New York location plays a huge part in that.
So, what’s the alternative for the UK? The press release confirmed the show will be filmed in London.
Elstree is certainly an option, which houses many studios owned by Sky and is also the home of many other live shows, including Strictly Come Dancing, The Chase, The Voice UK and even scripted shows such as Gangs of London.
However, Elstree is not technically London. It’s 20 minutes away on the train, sure, but it’s in Hertfordshire.
BBC/Ray Burmiston
Another option could be Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, which is the new home of Have I Got News For You. This is a proper theatre (I can attest to that, having been several times myself), so would be suitable for musical performances and short scenes.
I hope that SNL UK finds a home that’s just as iconic as The Rockefeller – if it wants to cement itself as a new TV staple, it’s something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
…will SNL UK be any good?
The editors at my site certainly greeted the news of a British SNL with mixed reactions.
Why? Well, it’s no secret that SNL’s quality has varied over the years since it started in 1975. You can see how it is considered to have fluctuated in the chart below – seasons 26 to 29 were particularly rough:
Saturday Night Live / Reddit
It’s obviously not an easy show to put together. Most sketches are written that week, with the hosts and performers only getting a couple of opportunities to practise the sketches – if at all. I’ve certainly watched a few performances from behind my fingers as I cringe.
The Post also points out that the series has seen a decline in viewership and struggles especially to engage younger audiences. But it’s certainly not all bad – I love 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 same pitfalls? It has the benefit of being completely fresh, and it’s executive produced by SNL’s creator Lorne Michaels, who will be able to bring years of expertise to the table. But it won’t have the audience goodwill and legendary status conferred on it in US culture by SNL’s influential history and iconic names.
Ultimately, we won’t know the answer until SNL UK hits Sky Max and Now in 2026.
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