SNL UK first reviews are in after premiere episode with Tina Fey - here's the verdict
The opinion is mixed!
After much anticipation, Saturday Night Live UK finally arrived on TV screens, and it was a pleasant surprise!
In the run-up to the inaugural series, Sky announced it had extended its run to eight shows rather than its additional six, proving those at the top were hopeful SNL would win over British audiences, and it seems to have paid off so far - for some.
The first episode was hosted by SNL legend Tina Fey with Wet Leg as musical guest, and the response from critics has been rather mixed, with The Guardian giving the debut three stars, noting that the UK edition could have been "a lot, lot worse" but it also "could have been a lot better".
The Telegraph, however, gave the show four stars, writing: "Tina Fey shines as guest host in shockingly competent spin-off…Predictions that a transatlantic SNL would crash and burn proved wide of the mark."
The debut episode was broadcast live from London, with the show's inaugural cast consisting of: Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.
While The Independent gave it three stars, noting: "Judging a show like SNL off its opening episode is foolish. The chemistry between the cast needs time to settle, and the reaction on TikTok and Instagram will likely inform which sketches have legs (the Head Wound Harrys and David S Pumpkins, so to speak), and which end up in the writers’ room bin.
"What SNL UK’s opening episode does demonstrate is a willingness to push the envelope, to risk bad taste. Borrowing a beloved American format might feel a bit stale, but there are notes of new ingredients that could offer something fresh."
But not every critic was impressed, with Deadline calling the episode "A laughter-free yawn that’s not a patch on Lorne Michaels’ American original", writing: "The show launched on Sky Saturday night with a dire Cold Open featuring prime minister Keir Starmer quivering over taking a call from Donald Trump where not one single memorable line was uttered. Tina Fey popped up as guest host. Why? Up popped Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan to ask just that question. And then there was Graham Norton of The Graham Norton Show fame, to add his penny’s worth…Saturday Night Live UK. What is it?! Painful, that’s what."
The Times were also not impressed by the UK outing, saying: "Britain is funny but this isn’t yet…There’s talent in the cast — shame this Sky One debut was four parts American gurning, one part Princess Diana."
Next week, the series returns for another 75-minute episode with Jamie Dornan at the helm, along with musical guest Wolf Alice.
Saturday Night Live UK continues on to Sky One and NOW on Saturday 29 March at 10pm.
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Authors
Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.
