With two episodes left to air in its freshman run, Saturday Night Live UK‘s future is uncertain—at least to hear lead producer James Longman tell it.
The latest (and first English-language) international offshoot of NBC’s long-running sketch comedy series, SNL UK launched March 21 on Sky One and the streaming service Sky NOW. Across the pond, that first show drew 226,000 total viewers in the overnights, an audience that swelled to 784K with seven-day viewership and repeats folded in (Sky’s preferred metric).
But by the eight-episode series’ midway point, viewership had waned at least 36%, to 503K (in Live+7 with repeats, per Deadline).
While SNL UK has undeniably entered the pop culture conversation and posted strong YouTube numbers, it remains to be seen whether its launch has fulfilled its mission of driving subscriptions to NOW TV, Sky’s subscription streaming service. (Sky reps have declined to comment for LateNighter on its performance.)
Critically, SNL UK has enjoyed a warm reception.
LateNighter’s Bill Carter, said the Tina Fey-hosted premiere “unquestionably stuck the landing,” helped along as it was by “a promising young cast of English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish comic talent.” Amongst famously persnickety British press, The Telegraph opined in its four-star (out of five) review that SNL UK ‘s debut was “shockingly competent,” while Metro‘s four-star assessment called that first outing “unexpectedly brilliant.”
In a new interview with IndieWire, lead producer Longman shared little insight into the show’s renewal prospects . “Definitely not for sure,” he said. “But I stay away from these discussions, I’m just trying to make a funny show.”
Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) is hosting SNL UK‘s seventh episode this Saturday, May 9 (watch promo), with BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter Myles Smith as musical guest.
The following week, Rwandan and Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) will close out SNL UK‘s first series, with indie-pop singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone as musical guest.
SNL UK airs live Saturdays at 10 p.m. GMT on Sky One, and streams next day Stateside on Peacock.
