“Live from London it’s Saturday night!” are words you may hear in the near future. Sky is launching a U.K. version of the sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”). Backed by the original series creator Lorne Michaels, who is executive producing.
The series is made in London and produced by Michaels’ Broadway Video and the U.K. production team Universal Television Alternative Studio. Like its US counterpart, it will feature a star-studded line-up of hosts and the same live fast-paced style. Alongside the standard musical guests and core cast of popular, British, comedians.
“For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation, all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels,” says Cecile Frot-Coutaz, chief executive of Sky Studios and chief content officer at Sky. “The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year – all live from London on Saturday night.”
This isn’t “SNL”’s first attempt at an international series either. Japan, Italy, and France have already tried similar, failed, spinoffs. However, South Korea’s version is still going strong.
The original “SNL” just celebrated its 50th anniversary in February, welcoming back esteemed alumni like Steve Martin, Bill Murray, and Eddie Murphy for a special episode.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about the U.K. version as the show develops.
