The first episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) UK aired last night, Saturday, March 21, and Brits are giving it mixed reactions.
Airing on Sky Original, the London-based show is inspired by the US TV show of the same name that has been running for more than 50 years.
SNL UK is broadcast live each week, with a different guest host taking the helm each Saturday.
The show is written, rehearsed, and performed in the week leading up to each show and is staged in front of a live studio audience.
Ahead of its launch, Brits were wary that the hit US show may not work for UK audiences, but reactions are in, and viewers were left “pleasantly surprised”.
SNL UK leaves viewers “pleasantly surprised”
Taking to X to voice their opinions, viewers shared that they had low expectations but were left surprised by the show’s launch.
Writing on X, one viewer said, “My expectations were low, but my god, they knocked it out of the park.”
Another happy watcher wrote: “Made me realise how much I miss sketch comedy.
“Very well executed.
“I was afraid it would be made to suit an American audience.
“Thank God it wasn’t.”
A third viewer said, “I thought it would be awful, and it was actually great.”
However, not everyone was impressed with the launch of SNL UK, as some called it “unfunny” and “poor”.
As one watcher wrote: “Unfunny. I want to laugh at good comedy, but it was the usual tropes without the wit.”
A second viewer said, “I don’t understand the positivity.
“Maybe it’s for kids, not me.
“But I thought the writing was poor, and it was too noticeable that they were reading from the autocue.”
Others described SNL UK as a “mixed bag”, sharing: “A mixed bag – very funny in places.
“I think it showed the potential to grow into something good.”
SNL UK kicks off first episode
A post shared by Sky TV (@skytv)
Hosted by actress Tina Fey, the first show featured guest appearances from Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, TV presenter Graham Norton, and Canadian actor Michael Cera.
The show began with a sketch starring cast member George Fouracres as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer dodging a call from US President Donald Trump, before cutting to Fey’s monologue.
The 55-year-old introduced herself as the “youngest person to ever host” the show and said that viewers may know her as “the teacher from Mean Girls”.
During the show, sketches were performed by the inaugural cast: Fouracres, Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young.
Recommended Reading
How much did Comic Relief raise for 2026? Final fundraising total revealed
Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones addresses the Strictly Come Dancing ‘big rumours’
This Morning’s Alison Hammond gives ‘definite’ answer to Celebrity Traitors rumours
The 75-minute episode also featured a performance from Isle of Wight band Wet Leg as the show’s first musical guest.
The show’s US version has been running since 1975 and is responsible for launching the careers of the likes of Fey, Bill Murray, and Eddie Murphy.
Saturday Night Live UK is available to watch on Sky and streaming service Now, with new episodes to air every Saturday.
What did you think of the first episode of SNL UK? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.