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A British SNL? Iconic sketch comedy show is making the trip across the pond

As Saturday Night Live celebrates its 50th anniversary, the iconic U.S. sketch comedy show announced Thursday that it plans to launch a British version.

U.K. version will feature a cast of British comedians, but will still be overseen by Lorne Michaels

The Associated Press ·
A woman stands onstage with six men standing in a line behind her. She's wearing a black dress. The men have their arms around each others' backs and appear to be in the middle of saying something together. They are all on some sort of soundstage or set.
This image released by NBC shows host Kristen Wiig, foreground centre, during her opening monologue on Saturday Night Live on April 6, 2024. In the background from left: Martin Short, Will Forte, Jon Hamm, Matt Damon, Paul Rudd, and Fred Armisen. A version of the iconic sketch comedy show starring British comedians will be coming to the U.K. (Will Heath/NBC via The Associated Press)

Live from London, it's Saturday night!

Wait, London? You heard that correctly. Saturday Night Live announced Thursday that it plans to launch a British version of the U.S. sketch comedy show that is celebrating its 50th anniversary across the pond.   

The U.K. version, produced with Sky Studios, will have a British cast of comedians — to be announced later — and follow the same format, with famous guest hosts and star musical acts.

SNL creator Lorne Michaels will be the executive producer of Saturday Night Live UK, while staying in the same role with the show on NBC in New York.

"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," said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, chief executive of Sky Studios.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to U.K. audiences next year — all live from London on Saturday night."

Three people pose together in front of a backdrop that says "emmys" on it. The man in the middle is an older gentleman, and is holding a golden award. A man in a floral suit is on the left side of the image and a woman is on the right side.
Lorne Michaels, centre, is seen with SNL cast members Bowen Yang and Kate McKinnon at the Emmy Awards in 2022. Michaels will oversee the U.K. version of the show, as well as continue with the original U.S. version. (Jae C. Hong/Invision/The Associated Press)

The long-established show regularly roasts the powerful. U.S. President Donald Trump and tech titan Elon Musk have been skewered lately, and both have previously hosted the 90-minute show.   

SNL airs live at 11:30 p.m. ET from a studio at Rockefeller Plaza and typically opens with a sketch that wraps as the actors turn to the camera, break character and announce: "Live from New York, it's Saturday night!" 

Its mix of political satire, offbeat skits, fake commercials, comic music videos and its regular Weekend Update spoof on the news has launched the careers of many comedians and actors.

Its roster of famous cast members include the late John Belushi, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Kenan Thompson and Kate McKinnon.

Efforts to launch SNL in other countries, such as France, Japan and Italy, have typically been short-lived, though a version of the show remains on the air in South Korea.

A woman stands with her hands on her hips in a sparkly bodysuit. She looks very serious in the face in a slightly goofy way. Backup dancers pose behind her.
This image released by NBC shows host Maya Rudolph during a monologue on Saturday Night Live on May 11, 2024. (Will Heath/NBC via The Associated Press)
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