There are few television institutions with the kind of longevity and cultural significance that Saturday Night Live has. Last year, the show hit its 50th anniversary. It wasn’t too long after that when we reported that SNL was crossing the pond to the United Kingdom. Whether that’s a good idea or a resoundingly bad one remains unseen. It also doesn’t matter since, like it or not, it’s coming. If you thought it would be confined to the UK, think again.
Not only can we confirm it will be getting broadcast here, it’ll actually be streaming the day after it’s UK airing!
Yes, that’s right, SNL UK won’t be live here in the States, but it won’t be far removed from that status. The first episode is set to air on the Sky network on March 21st, and Peacock will be showing it the very next day. Really, it’s more “Sunday Morning Delayed” than Saturday Night Live, but one of those titles is a lot catchier than the other. In keeping with the tradition of British shows having bizarrely short seasons, the upcoming series has a six-episode order. So, if it does turn out poorly, at least the misery will be brief.
Saturday Night Live UK
The United Kingdom does have a long and storied history of comedic programs, including sketch comedy. Naturally, there’s Monty Python’s Flying Circus, as well as A Bit of Fry & Laurie. Let’s not forget that this is the country that brought us the original Who’s Line is it Anyway, which would become a staple on American television. It’s not as often, though, when an American-created show gets a UK adaptation, but maybe SNL creator Lorne Michaels has another surprise left in him for this. Maybe there’s even a chance that it’ll be better than what we currently have in the US. After all the high-profile departures as of late, our Saturday Night Live has been hurting a bit.
Peacock is the obvious place for the new series to land in the US. After all, it is the streaming version of SNL‘s network, NBC. Also, Sky is owned by Comcast, the parent company of NBC. It all adds up in the twisted, corporate, conglomerate-controlled landscape that television finds itself in.
On the positive side, the cast for the forthcoming program is stacked with talent. And to be fair, the Brits have frequently been on the cutting edge of comedic brilliance and acerbic wit. Getting a chance to experience that may be a viewing pleasure.
We’ll find out in about two weeks when Saturday Night Live UK comes to Peacock on March 22nd.
