‘Saturday Night Live UK’ continues to divide comedy fans: “Give it a chance”

Saturday Night Live UK has aired its second episode, and continues to divide fans on social media.

The British version of the longrunning US sketch show first premiered last weekend (March 21), though received a mixed reaction from audiences, who called it everything from “disastrously unfunny” to “brilliant”.

The series continued over the weekend (March 28), with Jamie Dornan overseeing proceedings as guest host after Tina Fey’s run last week, while Wolf Alice were musical guests.

Sketches included a cold open parodying the former Prince Andrew, framing his fall from grace as a 29-year plan devised by MI5 in 1997 in order to improve future King Charles III’s public image following the death of Princess Diana. The sketch also contained a meta joke referencing cast member Jack Shep’s memorable impression of Diana last week.

There was also a spoof framing Jools Holland in a horror-tinged setting, as well as a sketch taking aim at British holidaygoers who drink abroad at British-themed pubs.

Like last week, viewers have had a mixed reaction to the episode, one on Reddit saying that while they were surprised by “how funny” the debut was, it was “such a shame then to see the second episode be exactly what I had originally feared the show would be: weak, ineffectual, throwing out current references without any real joke attached”.

“Really want this to do well but second ep was quite average. Where’s the energy and randomness of Ep.1?!” another added.

“Found it started strong this week and then just kinda dropped in quality,” a third wrote. “I don’t mind that, it’s a sketch show and I’m not going to like everyone but as a whole the show has been a hit for me.”

However, one fan suggested that the series “has good potential so far” and that viewers should “give it a chance”, adding: “Some episodes will be average. It’ll get better once they find their rhythm.”

A fourth said that it was “much funnier” than last week, highlighting: “The cold open with Andrew was hilarious, and the musical number was such a breath of fresh air compared to the American reliance on impressions.”

Last week’s episode made headlines outside of the entertainment sphere, with US President Donald Trump sharing a sketch on his social media from the show mocking UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid the Iran War.

SNL UK continues this weekend with guest host Riz Ahmed and musical guests Kasabian.

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