The atmosphere was electric as the lights dimmed on the first-ever Saturday Night Live U.K. premiere. To launch a franchise this massive, you need a heavy hitter, and the producers didn’t miss: Tina Fey stepped up as the inaugural host.
Fey, an SNL legend who served as the first female head writer of the U.S. version, brought a sense of legitimacy and “meta” humor to the night. But the big question remained: could the new British cast hold their own alongside a comedy titan?
The Monologue: Tina Fey, the “Youngest” Host in History
Tina Fey kicked things off by poking fun at her own legacy. “I’m the youngest person ever to host SNL U.K.,” she joked to a cheering live audience. She leaned into the confusion of her own identity in the British zeitgeist, asking if fans knew her as the teacher from Mean Girls, the “lady from Veep,” or the woman who famously played Sarah Palin.
The monologue quickly turned into a star-studded affair. A parade of celebrity guests crashed the stage to ask the question on everyone’s mind: Why is an American hosting the British premiere?
Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Bridgerton) pressed Fey on why a Brit wasn’t chosen.
Michael Cera and Graham Norton made surprise appearances, with Norton looking on as Fey showcased a hilarious (if slightly exaggerated) knowledge of British comedy, quoting everything from Fawlty Towers to those inescapable “Jet2 Holidays” adverts.
Fey’s response to why she was there? “The way it was explained to me was that… none of you fuckers would do it.” It was the perfect “fan-first” moment that set the tone for the rest of the evening.
The Cold Open: Starmer, Trump, and “Starmzy”
Following the 50-year tradition of the American original, the Saturday Night Live U.K. premiere opened with a political cold open. The sketch featured George Fouracres as a jittery, well-disguised Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The scene followed Starmer trying to navigate a “toxic ex” relationship with Donald Trump. Nervously flanked by an adviser (Hammed Animashaun), Starmer repeatedly hung up on the U.S. President out of pure terror. The highlight of the sketch was the introduction of Starmer’s new Gen Z adviser, played by Jack Shep, who dubbed the PM “Starmzy.”
The Gen Z adviser convinced Starmer to “break up” with Trump via voice note, leading to a hilarious list of things America and Britain have shared: “Remember D-Day? Remember Live Aid? Remember Iraq? The first week and none of the rest.” The sketch ended with the historic first delivery of the revised catchphrase: “Live from London, it’s Saturday night!”
Weekend Update: A Royal Roasting
If you thought the British version of Weekend Update would play it safe, you were wrong. Hosts Ania Magliano and Paddy Young went for the jugular, specifically targeting the disgraced Prince Andrew.
“Coming up on Weekend Update: pedophilia. But first, war!” Magliano began, immediately setting a darker, sharper comedic tone than its U.S. counterpart. They roasted the former Prince’s recent arrest and his move to “Marsh Farm,” with Magliano joking that the body of the Prince would eventually be found in the actual nearby marsh.
The hosts also took aim at the “other” Royal Family: the Beckhams. Paddy Young delivered a savage jab about a supposed feud between David and Brooklyn Beckham, proving that no one in the British A-list is safe in this new format.
Meet the New SNL U.K. Cast
One of the most exciting parts of the Saturday Night Live U.K. premiere was seeing the chemistry of the new ensemble. The 11-person cast features some of the brightest names in the current U.K. comedy circuit:
The Heavy Hitters: Hammed Animashaun, Emma Sidi, and George Fouracres.
The Rising Stars: Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, and the Weekend Update duo Ania Magliano and Paddy Young.
With musical guest Wet Leg providing an indie-rock energy to the debut, the show felt less like a stiff broadcast and more like a chaotic, brilliant house party.
How to Watch SNL U.K. in the U.S. and Beyond
For fans outside the U.K., catching the action requires a little planning. The show officially airs on SKY One and NOW in the U.K. on Saturday nights.
For U.S. viewers, the Saturday Night Live U.K. premiere is available on-demand via Peacock the very next day. If you don’t have a subscription, there are a few ways to watch for free:
- Instacart+ or Walmart+: Both memberships currently include Peacock Premium.
- DirecTV: New members can often snag a 5-day free trial that includes Peacock access.
Is the U.K. Version a Hit?
The Saturday Night Live U.K. premiere proved that the format can thrive when it embraces local chaos. From the “Starmzy” voice notes to the brutal honesty of Weekend Update, the show felt like a necessary shot in the arm for British television. With Jamie Dornan and musical guest Wolf Alice set for next week, and Riz Ahmed with Kasabian on deck for April 4, the momentum is only building.
What was your favorite sketch of the night? Did George Fouracres nail the Keir Starmer impression, or are you just here for the Prince Andrew roasts? Let us know in the comments below!
