Some comedy fans in the United States have had a lukewarm reception to Saturday Night Live for years. The late night variety program has been the target of criticism almost from the first season. But in recent seasons, fans have been frustrated with the inconsistent quality of the program. Which can make it difficult to be a hardcore fan of SNL.
That’s why the frenzied acceptance of SNL UK in Great Britain has been such a welcome delight. It’s great to see a country go crazy for SNL again.
Following two episodes of SNL UK, the show has been extended for two additional episodes. It appears this version, which is executive produced by Lorne Michaels, and features 11 up-and-coming British comedians, will enjoy a long life.
But why is SNL so popular in the UK?
How Comedy is Different in the UK
British humor tends to be drier and more understated than its American counterpart. Where an American comedian might announce the punchline with energy and enthusiasm, a British comic will often deliver it with a straight face, leaving the audience to decide whether something was even meant to be funny at all. This deadpan quality rewards attentive listeners and treats the audience as intelligent enough to find the joke themselves.
The British sensibility for dry comedy has been fed consistently in the two episodes of SNL UK so far. British audiences don’t need celebrity cameos and over-the-top crazy characters: a clever line or even a knowing look into the camera can be enough.
Self-deprecation is also central to British comedy. The British tend to mock themselves before anyone else gets the chance, finding humor in failure, awkwardness, and ordinariness. American humor, by contrast, often leans toward confidence and triumph, the underdog who wins, the lovable loser who redeems himself.
Quite frankly, awkward and ordinary is perfect for comedy. In the U.S., SNL writers seem to be fixated on celebrity and flash. Some viewers have been turned off by the “Hollywood-centric” feel of SNL for several years.
SNL in the U.S. often focuses too much on political humor, celebrity worship, and wokeness. That strategy appeases its core base, but it doesn’t broaden it.
Current SNL cast member Kam Patterson said earlier this year that “SNL is gay.” In the UK, there seems to be more appetite for just being funny.
It’s likely that SNL UK will lean into the special quirks of British culture. Already, like in a pretape segment from Episode 2 titled British Pub, it has done so with success. Class and social hierarchy are rich comedic territory in Britain in a way they rarely are in the US. Shows like Fawlty Towers and Absolutely Fabulous mine class anxiety for laughs in a specifically British way.
SNL UK could be far less politically correct than the U.S. version. British humor can feel sharper, with a more cynical edge. That reflects a different cultural attitude toward teasing a target, and what it means to be funny.
SNL UK’s Second Episode was a Huge Hit
The debut episode of SNL UK was hosted by Tina Fey, former Saturday Night Live cast member and head writer for the U.S. show. That program was fine, but it seems in retrospect the Fey episode will be considered a mediocre tune-up.
Episode 2 was the first for which the SNL UK cast and writing staff had to put together a show within the crunch of the weeklong timeline. It appears that pressure produced great results.
This pretape from SNL UK episode 2 rates better than anything “SNL US” produced in Season 51.
The Hostage Sketch on SNL UK
Host Jamie Dornan was featured with cast member Annabel Marlow in a sketch titled “The Hostage.” This sketch is clever, and more importantly, brilliantly performed.
I’m not sure if the UK version is using cue cards or not, but it doesn’t appear so. The decision to eschew cards makes quite the difference, as this sketch feels more real, and the performances are excellent.
This is what a sketch looks like when it’s brilliantly written, well executed, and is funny.
Sky One will air a minimum of eight episodes of SNL UK. Given the excitement for the show based on ratings and reactions on British social media, it seems the program will get more chances than that in the future.
