Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Saturday Night Live (SNL), a celebrated US television institution, has been a source of entertainment and a launchpad for numerous comedy stars for half a century. Now, a question arises: can a British version of this iconic sketch comedy show achieve the same level of success?
For fifty years, the iconic declaration, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” has launched each episode of Saturday Night Live, showcasing its established formula of timely sketch comedy, appearances by famous faces, and performances from prominent musical artists.
This American television fixture is now set to broadcast from London, as Sky has revealed plans for a “star-studded” UK spin-off. The show will feature leading British comedic talent and is slated to premiere next year.
Under the guidance of the original show’s creator, Lorne Michaels, now 80, the network promises to replicate the same “live, fast-paced style” that characterizes its American counterpart.
The Enduring Legacy of Saturday Night Live
Since its inception by Michaels in 1975, SNL has served as a dynamic platform for comedy icons such as Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and Mike Myers.
Renowned for its constantly evolving ensemble cast, Joe Piscopo, a member of the 1980s cast, aptly summarized the show’s impact in a 50th-anniversary documentary: “They elevated sketch comedy to an entirely new plane,” he observed. “Comedy gradually transformed into rock ‘n’ roll.”
The inherent unpredictability of the live format, combined with its sustained presence on television, has been instrumental in maintaining its esteemed status. Saturday Night Live holds the record for the most Emmy Award nominations (331) and wins (90) of any show.
Attracting Contemporary Stars
Rachel Aroesti, a TV and comedy journalist for the Guardian, notes, “I believe it’s impossible to underestimate the significance of this legacy in explaining its ongoing popularity. This is an attribute that the UK version will understandably find difficult to replicate.”
This heritage is a key factor in why the show continues to draw in major young celebrities, such as Timothee Chalamet, who grew up watching SNL despite the decline in traditional television viewership in the age of streaming platforms.
Aroesti further explains, “In the US, the guest appearances themselves often become newsworthy events – these individuals recognize that their participation will generate considerable publicity, creating a mutually beneficial scenario.”
“I would be surprised if the UK version manages to secure guests of a similar stature.”
Challenges and Expectations for the UK SNL Spin-off
Helen Lewis, a writer for The Atlantic, reports that the prevailing industry reaction to commissioning a UK version has been one of cautious optimism, describing it as a “courageous” undertaking and wishing the team success with this “complex venture.”
Several significant distinctions exist between the American and British television industries that could impact the new show.
The budget allocated to the US SNL significantly surpasses standard UK television budgets. This allows for a larger cast and a team of writers working intensely to ensure the comedy remains topical and cutting-edge.
Lewis elaborated on BBC Radio 4’s PM program, “The American format is inherently expensive, involving a substantial writers’ room and keeping a company of actors essentially on standby at all times. This represents a considerable financial commitment.”
Differences in Comedy Culture
Lewis also highlighted the divergence in comedy culture between the two nations.
“American humor can, at times, lean towards the more slapstick. Quite frequently, Americans have difficulty grasping British humor, often perceiving it as excessively harsh.”
Comedy writer Jack Bernhardt concurs, noting the distinct comedic traditions. UK sketch comedy troupes frequently originate from friendships and refine their craft at events like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In contrast, numerous US comedians train at improvisation and sketch comedy clubs, specifically honing their abilities for programs like SNL.
Bernhardt suggests these cultural differences are not easily overcome simply by commissioning a UK adaptation of SNL. “It requires a broader shift in comedy culture.”
He adds a note of caution, “This is not to say that a successful adaptation is impossible, only that this particular type of sketch show may not inherently capitalize on the unique strengths of the UK comedy landscape. And this is before even considering the intricacies of producing a live broadcast.”
Brand Gamble and Digital Age Success
Given these obstacles, leveraging a well-known brand like SNL might appear to be a risky proposition, particularly when the UK television sector is facing economic headwinds.
However, the US show’s performance has remained relatively stable in recent years, even though viewership figures are lower than in the pre-streaming era.
Vulture reported that SNL attracts an average of 8.4 million viewers weekly, outperforming all other late-night programs combined. It also stands as the top entertainment series on US network television among adults aged 18 to 49.
Josef Adalian, a media reporter, observed, “One rarely hears discussions about whether SNL will ‘survive,’ but rather what will happen once Michaels departs. While linear TV may be struggling for relevance, SNL appears secure.”
Significantly, the sketch comedy format is ideally suited to the social media era, lending itself to easily shared clips on digital platforms. According to The Economist, online SNL clips are achieving approximately 216 million views per episode across TikTok, X, and YouTube. While these viewers may not be watching live, the content demonstrably has a vibrant online presence.
Lessons from Past Attempts and Future Potential
Previous attempts to adapt US late-night shows for UK audiences have frequently encountered difficulties.
However, in the 1980s, Saturday Live – later renamed Friday Night Live – enjoyed a four-season run and provided crucial early exposure for talents like Ben Elton, Harry Enfield, Stephen Fry, and Rik Mayall. Similarly, Channel 4’s The 11 O’Clock Show served as a launchpad for Ricky Gervais and Sacha Baron Cohen.
British comedy producer Jimmy Mulville, whose company Hat Trick Productions has been behind successful programs like Have I Got News For You and Whose Line is it Anyway?, believes that the opportunity to nurture emerging talent will be a primary motivation for Sky, despite the inherent risks.
“If Sky executes this effectively, they have the potential to cultivate new stars, which can then lead to spin-off shows featuring these performers,” he explains. “These programs can be exceptionally successful, enjoy long runs, and consistently showcase fresh talent.”
He emphasizes the necessity of assembling the right team of writers and performers for the UK SNL.
“If the production is of high quality, I see no reason why it shouldn’t thrive,” states Mulville, who also co-hosts Insiders: The TV Podcast.
He recounted his recent experience taking the BBC’s long-running topical panel show Have I Got News For You to the US, where CNN has commissioned a second season. He recalls one US talent agent cautioning that the show was “too British” to resonate across the Atlantic.
“I responded, ‘Indeed, it is, which is why I intend to have it written and performed by Americans, specifically for an American audience.'”
The same principle will apply to SNL in the UK. “In the UK context, the show will be created by British writers, featuring British performers, and tailored for a British viewership. Therefore, it will transcend being merely an American import.”
In conclusion, simply being “live from London” will not guarantee success. SNL UK must cultivate its own distinct British comedy identity, evolving into an original creation rather than merely a copycat version of an American sensation.