It’s a Terrible Idea

by

It’s been announced that there will be a new spinoff of Saturday Night Live in the UK, and although this news might excite some, it seems one well-known British celebrity isn’t quite as enthused. Known for his sharp observations and biting humor, John Oliver has never shied away from commenting on topics ranging from professional wrestler names to Fall Out Boy’s take on a classic tune. So, it comes as no surprise that Seth Meyers would be interested in hearing Oliver’s thoughts about SNL coming to the UK; however, I’m not sure Meyers anticipated such a negative response.

Prior to hosting “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” the show’s namesake was a performer on “Saturday Night Live.” John Oliver, however, wasn’t part of SNL, but he is well-known among American audiences as one of England’s top comedians. Given their backgrounds, they both seemed suitable to talk about the upcoming SNL spinoff. Thus, during an episode of Late Night, Meyers inquired about Oliver’s thoughts on SNL UK. Unfortunately, the host of Last Week Tonight didn’t appear too enthusiastic about it, expressing his disinterest by saying:

Well, Seth, it’s a terrible idea.

On “Last Week Tonight,” John Oliver frequently discusses disheartening global issues, so it’s likely he remained unfazed when informing Seth Meyers that the prospect of Saturday Night Live debuting in the UK didn’t appeal to him. It’s possible that he might have apprehension about how Lorne Michaels (who is an executive producer for the spinoff) or other NBCUniversal executives would react to his comments on their network. However, considering his tendency to avoid celebrity events, it seems unlikely that he’ll ever find himself mingling with them.

Simultaneously, Seth Meyers wasn’t going to leave John Oliver’s comment hanging without some clarification. As expected, Oliver had a strong argument and managed to add a touch of humor to soften the blow of dismissing the possibility of a British version of Saturday Night Live.

To put it simply, it seems like a misfit – we’ve had sketch comedy in the past… And Saturday Night Live feels like such a distinctive troupe. It’s almost like a secret society, if I may say so without using the term. It has this aura of exclusivity that I find hard to describe. So, I’m not sure how you can transplant that unique essence to the U.K.

The person makes a valid observation. Although Saturday Night Live is a well-established American institution known for its celebrity hosts and musical guests, it isn’t the pioneer in live sketch comedy. Any organization could launch their own live sketch comedy series if they wish, and John Oliver pointed out that success isn’t limited to being under the SNL brand.

More On Saturday Night Live

Initially, Lorne Michaels wasn’t fond of recurring sketches like Domingo. However, an original Saturday Night Live host managed to alter his opinion on the matter.

Absolutely, it’s hard to argue against the allure of being well-known in Hollywood today, and the connection with Saturday Night Live could potentially boost the UK series, making it easier for it to take flight compared to a similar concept with an entirely new name. There’s always a risk of failure, but imagine if it became successful – wouldn’t that be thrilling?

Reflect on the past SNL stars who came back as celebrities, their fame largely owing to the show. A UK program that mirrors this platform for young comedians and actors could be advantageous. If this UK version of SNL gains global popularity, it may lead to a new generation of renowned performers from that region, much like we see here.

The British version of Saturday Night Live is set to debut in 2026, and maybe, just maybe, it will eventually inspire a highly-regarded film chronicling its initial episode years later. Here’s hoping for a strong buildup towards its launch and more reasons to look forward to this comedic series!

For now, stay tuned to the popular show “SNL” by catching its fresh episodes every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. You can also enjoy it (alongside “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and other NBC programs) by subscribing to Peacock.

Read More

2025-05-07 05:16