Former Saturday Night Live head writer, Weekend Update anchor, and cast member Tina Fey will host the first episode of SNL’s sister series in the United Kingdom.
The British version of SNL will debut March 21. It’s expected to be presented in much the same format as the New York-based version. The SNL UK cast was announced earlier this year.
Fey was a cast member for six seasons starting in 2000 with Season 26. She spearheaded an era that saw several talented female cast members elevate SNL. She returned after leaving the program to appear as Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
Fey has won ten Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, and seven Writers Guild Awards, Her post-SNL career is best known for the sitcom 30 Rock, which was a parody of an SNL-like variety show.
On SNL, in addition to becoming the first female head writer, she briefly helmed Weekend Update with co-anchor Jimmy Fallon, a tandem that had its fans and detractors.
SNL Rankings places Fey as the 28th greatest cast member in the history of the NBC late night show.
Saturday Night Live UK will be executive produced by Lorne Michaels, who has been the producer of SNL for all but five seasons of its long history.
