We’re now five episodes into the Saturday Night Live UK experiment, and I have to say — as a translation of the long running sketch show into another region, it’s working. Pretty damn well.
Essentially, the pros and cons of the show are the same of the original…
- Sketches are generally solid, some hit, some miss
- No one knows how to write an ending
- Musical performances are a highlight
- There’s some breakout stars in the midst
- Weekend Update is a consistent highlight
- The weirdest sketch is held for last
It’s been said that SNL should be watched like a sport — an adage I’ve agreed with, and best summarized how I’ve watched it anyway. You look to see talent on the rise, can walk away discussing who had good weeks and bad weeks, and debate where the spotlight needs to be next.
You could very much say the same here.
Of the shows thus far, I’d say these are the breakouts:
Hammed Animashaun
Animashaun has proven himself a great utility player, whether as the focus, as seen in ”Boovies Goes To The Films” or as a part of an ensemble cast, as seen in ”OG FM Pirate Radio”.
Ania Magliano and Paddy Young
Magliano and Young are the inaugural hosts for the UK version of Weekend Update, and they have a fun chemistry. Young plays stupid quite well, which is a different energy for Weekend Update, while Magliano is following the Tina Fey / Amy Poeler route of being the smarter, more clever half. They’ve also established a very funny running bit — Paddy Young: BTS Superfan.
George Fouracres
The cast member I decided to write this post about. He’s been a strong utility player, acting as everything from Kier Starmer to the creator of DadSwap, an app to help you find a new dad. But the reason why I’m so jazzed about him is arguably the most absurd thing they’ve done so far — right from the first episode, the last segment of the night was “45 Seconds With Fouracres”, a sketch where he scream sings “WHAT Kind of Irish is Your Grandad”, while then deploying a shockingly strong variety of Irish accents. This was a sketch which bore into my brain, making me want to sing it at random times. Last night, though, they brought back the segment with “Another 45 Seconds With Fouracres”. This time, the song is about fruits and vegetables, and there’s a secondary hidden message if you listen for it.
The biggest bummer right now for the show is that the ratings aren’t particularly strong — but if it’s not going to last, I’m going to go ahead and enjoy each one. And then follow its stars to whatever they do next.
Saturday Night Live UK airs on Sky TV in the UK Saturday Nights at 10pm, and then hits Peacock in the US at 1pm Sunday Afternoons.