Tina Fey Kicks Off ‘Saturday Night Live UK’ With Surprise Guests and Political Satire
Saturday Night Live UK launched its inaugural episode with a blend of political humor and celebrity cameos, featuring Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, TV personality Graham Norton, and actor Michael Cera alongside host Tina Fey.
The premiere episode opened with a sketch featuring George Fouracres as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attempting to avoid a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump, before transitioning to Fey’s opening monologue.
Monologue Highlights and Guest Interactions
Fey, known for her work on the American version of Saturday Night Live, began her monologue by playfully acknowledging her position as the first host, stating she was “the youngest person to ever host” the show. She then addressed the question of why an American was chosen to lead the British adaptation, quipping, “The way it was explained to me was that for this first episode, anyway, how do I put this politely, none of you would do it.”
Coughlan interjected, questioning why an American was hosting, suggesting British icons like David Beckham, Judi Dench, or even Shrek would have been more fitting. Fey responded with amusement, prompting Coughlan to clarify that Scotland is part of Britain.
Michael Cera also made a cameo during the monologue, expressing surprise at the allowance of explicit language in the British version of the show.
Graham Norton appeared on stage to announce that the show was being filmed in the same studio as his BBC talk show, The Graham Norton Show.
Sketches and Cast
The 75-minute episode featured performances from the show’s inaugural cast: George Fouracres, Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young.
The show also included a musical performance by Isle Of Wight band Wet Leg as its first musical guest.
Writing Team
Jonno Johnson serves as the head writer for the series, with Charlie Skelton, known for his work on 8 Out of 10 Cats, leading the writing team for the satirical news segment, The Weekend Update. Additional writers include Al Roberts (Stath Lets Flats), Bella Hull (Have I Got News For You), and comedians Celya AB, Chris Cantrill, Grainne Maguire, Humphrey Ker, and James Farmer.
Legacy of ‘Saturday Night Live’
The American version of Saturday Night Live has been running since 1975 and has launched the careers of numerous comedic talents, including Fey, Bill Murray, and Eddie Murphy.
Where to Watch
Saturday Night Live UK is available to watch on Sky and the streaming service Now, with new episodes airing every Saturday.
Worth a look