'Saturday Night Live UK' made its debut this past Saturday on Sky One and NOW in the U.K., and began streaming stateside Sunday on Peacock, with Tina Fey as the first guest host. The show followed a format similar to its American counterpart, featuring a cold open, monologue, sketches, and musical performances by Wet Leg.
Key Takeaways
The debut episode of 'Saturday Night Live UK,' hosted by Tina Fey, aired on Sky One and NOW in the U.K., and on Peacock in the U.S. The show featured familiar sketches and very British humor, receiving generally positive reviews from critics. Key moments included a cold open with Prime Minister Keir Starmer played by George Fouracres, and appearances by Nicola Coughlan, Michael Cera, and Graham Norton during Fey's monologue. Critics praised the cast's performances but noted some sketches fell flat.
The cold open featured Prime Minister Keir Starmer (played by George Fouracres) struggling to communicate with President Trump, played for laughs as a demanding boyfriend. Fey's monologue included surprise appearances from Nicola Coughlan, Michael Cera, and Graham Norton, who provided comedic commentary on British cultural tendencies.
The episode included a mix of sketches that ranged from hits to misses. Notable segments were a Shakespeare skit featuring Fouracres as the Bard returning to Stratford with increasingly modern affects, and a Paddington Bear immersive experience that took a dark turn. Critics praised the cast's performances but noted some sketches ran too long or ended weakly.
The show received generally positive reviews from critics, who appreciated its ambition and the cast's talent. The Guardian's Lucy Mangan described it as 'refreshing to see an ambition / piece of madness... even being attempted.' Variety's Scott Bryan highlighted the show's darker and more surreal humor compared to the American version.
The debut episode had 226,000 viewers in the U.K., with a clip of Fey's monologue gaining over 700,000 views on YouTube by Sunday afternoon. The season has been extended to eight episodes from the originally ordered six, with Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed scheduled to host future shows.
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