Latest news with #SaturdayLive
Express Tribune
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
SNL is heading to the UK with an all-British cast for new series
Get ready, Britain — your Saturday nights are about to get a lot funnier (and possibly a lot weirder). Sky officially announced on Thursday that a UK version of 'Saturday Night Live' is in the works, set to premiere in 2026 with an all-British cast. That's right — "Live from across the pond, it's Saturday night!" The London-based show will mirror the original's legendary format: live sketches, chaotic improv, celebrity hosts, and musical guests — just now with more tea, accents, and probably at least one sketch about queueing politely. Legendary SNL creator Lorne Michaels (who, in case you're wondering, is still not planning to retire at age 80) will executive produce the series alongside Broadway Video and Universal Television Alternative Studio's UK division. No pressure, right? Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz said in a press release: "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." "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." SNL first hit American TV screens on October 11, 1975 and is now celebrating its 50th season — half a century of iconic sketches, presidential impressions, and enough celebrity cameos to fill Wembley Stadium. Over the years, it helped launch careers of comedy royalty like Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Chris Rock, Will Ferrell, and so many others. Michaels recently told The Hollywood Reporter he's in it for the long haul, reassuring fans he has "no plans to leave" the US show anytime soon. This isn't the first time SNL has crossed borders — previous (and short-lived) versions have aired in Japan, Italy, and China. Fun fact: South Korea's take on SNL is still running strong. And if this sounds slightly familiar to British audiences, it's because Channel 4 had a show called 'Saturday Live' from 1985 to 1988, with a brief revival on ITV in 1996. That series featured an impressive lineup, including Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Ben Elton, Chris Barrie, Julian Clary, Tracey Ullman, Craig Ferguson, Josie Lawrence, and Rik Mayall. Basically, a who's who of British comedy legends. The real question is: Will Brits roast their politicians even harder than Americans do? Given the state of things... safe bet. Stay tuned for the chaos — because in 2026, Saturday nights in London are about to get seriously loud.
The Guardian
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Sky announces ‘star-studded' UK version of Saturday Night Live
Over the last 50 years, Saturday Night Live has become a cornerstone of US television and a conveyor belt for new comedy talent, attracting A-list cameos and launching careers. British TV executives are now hoping it can bring some of that lustre across the Atlantic in a deal to bring it to the UK for the first time. After numerous failed attempts to recreate the late-night comedy format that has proved so successful in the US, Sky has announced it is making a British version of the show to premiere next year. Crucially, the show's original creator and champion, Lorne Michaels, will be an executive producer. The broadcaster is already promising a 'star-studded lineup of hosts', adding that it will be filmed in London. It is also promising to stay true to the US show's 'live, fast-paced style' – which has included comedy sketches, a roster of comic presenters and musical guests – with a cast list of 'the funniest British comedians around'. It will no doubt be a draw for leading comedians in the UK, as the US original has launched the careers of comedy royalty including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell and Mike Myers. Sky's chief content officer, Cécile Frot-Coutaz, said: '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. 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.' The move is also a gamble by Sky, given the number of previous attempts to recreate a live, late-night comedy show concentrating on topical issues. While the UK has had a number of hit comedy panel shows, such as Have I Got News for You, the live sketch-style programme has not endured in the same way. In the 1980s, Saturday Live was launched and similarly featured rising and established talent, including Ben Elton, Harry Enfield, Stephen Fry, Tracey Ullman, Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall. It was moved to Friday nights for its third series before being cancelled. It was briefly revived in 1996, hosted by Lee Hurst. Channel 4 launched Saturday Zoo in the early 1990s, featuring comedy and celebrity interviews. It ran for just 13 episodes. Channel 4's The 11 O'Clock Show also worked with up-and-coming comedians and boosted the careers of Ricky Gervais, Sacha Baron Cohen and Jimmy Carr. Brian Logan, the Guardian's comedy critic, said there was a 'strange alchemy' in the early successes of SNL in the US that had made it self-sustaining. 'They're quite different comedy cultures,' he said. 'It's not just SNL that has been tried here, but also late-night talkshows and comedy shows. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'And America has experimented with panel shows, which never seem to take off in America, but are a massive comedy vehicle for comedians in the UK. So there is clearly something going on whereby these things don't always transfer. But if the SNL team are involved in this one, it stands a better chance than some.' Others in the TV industry say the format's mixed success in the UK comes down to money. In the US, the show's backers are able to pay and retain top comedy talent. But shows in the UK, made on far lower budgets, often lose their star performers to more lucrative ventures.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Emilia Fox breaks silence after death of Silent Witness creator Nigel McCrery
Emilia Fox has paid tribute to Silent Witness creator Nigel McCrery following his death aged 71. Nigel, a former police officer who also created the BBC series New Tricks, revealed last year he was diagnosed with an unspecified terminal illness. Nigel 🩷 — Emilia Fox (@EmiliaFox) February 10, 2025 Emilia, who plays Dr Nikki Alexander in the long-running BBC crime drama, said the TV writer will be "missed by so many" in a statement shared on social media. "I am so sorry to hear the terribly sad news about the passing of Nigel McCrery," penned the 50-year-old. "In creating Silent Witness he brought something special to so many audiences around the world, and to those of us lucky enough to work on the show. Its success and longevity are a testament to Nigel and his brilliant idea in the first place - and of course many other shows too. "I was hugely fond of him personally. He was always kind and warm and spoke devotedly of his own family as an extremely proud parent and grandparent," continued the actress. "I am grateful that he remained connected to the show ongoingly and always wanted to know what plans there were for it. His great friend the forensic pathologist Helen Whitwell, who inspired the Sam Ryan character played by Amanda Burton, also sadly passed away recently. They will both live on through Silent Witness and we will do our best to make them proud." She added: "He will be missed by so many and my thoughts are with his family." Nigel's death was confirmed by his agent on social media. "It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery's passing," the statement read. "As the creative mind behind such hits as the much loved long-running BBC drama series Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for years with his work. "His numerous contributions to the arts will always be remembered. Nigel had an incredible career and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time." Nigel, who served with the Nottinghamshire Constabulary, created Silent Witness in 1996. The drama returned to screens in January with its 28th series, in which Emilia stars alongside David Caves. In 2003, Nigel launched New Tricks, which starred Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam and ran for 12 series. Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said she was "deeply saddened" by the news. "Nigel was behind some of UK television's most loved dramas, and his skill for creating brilliant stories with beautifully drawn characters shone for all to see," she said. "The enduring success of Silent Witness, still entertaining millions of viewers after almost 30 years, is a testament to his incredible talent and he will be sorely missed." In October 2024, Nigel told BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme that he had been given a terminal diagnosis, which he said was "quite a shock". "I mean people deal with their deaths in different ways, and I think it's all very, very individual to each of us," he said. "But I think for a little while you do go into shock – or I did, and I was in a bit of a state."
