In a mild splash, the British offshoot of the renowned U.S. comedy institution “Saturday Night Live” has made its debut to generally positive reviews, surprising many doubters who predicted its failure across the Atlantic. The first episode closely followed the original format with a skit featuring Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeking advice on how to talk to President Donald Trump. Hosted by “SNL” veteran Tina Fey, the show included celebrity appearances from Michael Cera, Graham Norton, and Nicola Coughlan. Reviews described the show as shockingly competent and occasionally hilarious, with praise for the relatively unknown cast of comedians. The British version featured topical comedy, offbeat sketches, fake commercials, and a guest musical act by the band Wet Leg. One notable difference was the liberal use of expletives, allowed under British broadcasting rules. Lorne Michaels, the creator of “SNL,” serves as the executive producer for the U.K. offshoot, which airs on Sky One and the NOW streaming service. Despite mixed reviews, there is hope for future success as the show continues its run with guest hosts like Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed.
