Can Saturday Night Live U.K. win over sceptical British audiences?
Two weeks ago, Saturday Night Live U.K. made its debut on British screens. The launch followed a rocky pre-release period, with critics questioning whether an American-style sketch show could win over U.K. audiences. Despite early doubts, the first episode surprised many viewers with its humour and energy.
Before the show even aired, the mood around Saturday Night Live U.K. was sceptical. TV critic Scott Bryan described the prelaunch atmosphere as negative, with some seeing it as another case of 'America trying to teach Britain how to do comedy.' Even Nicola Coughlan, star of Derry Girls and Bridgerton, joked about whether Brits naturally hope for others to fail—asking SNL veteran Tina Fey about the phenomenon during publicity.
The first episode, hosted by Fey, defied low expectations. A skit set in 1997, featuring Prince Andrew and MI5, quickly went viral, racking up over a million views on YouTube. Viewers took to social media to praise the show's sharp writing and performances, with many admitting they were pleasantly surprised. Yet not everyone is convinced. Nick Hilton, chief TV critic for *The Independent*, called the series 'doomed' from the start. He pointed to the challenges of live television and the show's short six-episode run as major hurdles. Ilya Marritz, reporting for NPR News in London, noted that the programme now has just five episodes left to prove itself and build a loyal audience.
The first episode of Saturday Night Live U.K. earned unexpected praise, but its future remains uncertain. With only six episodes in total, the show must keep delivering to win over critics and viewers alike. Whether it can overcome early scepticism and carve out a lasting place in British comedy will become clearer in the coming weeks.
