Tina Fey Hosts Historic Debut of Saturday Night Live UK

Saturday Night Live UK made its highly anticipated debut on March 21, 2026, marking a bold new chapter for one of television’s most beloved comedy franchises. The first episode aired at 10 p.m. GMT on Sky One and streamed on Sky NOW, arriving exactly fifty years after the original U.S. version premiered on NBC.

True to its American predecessor, the inaugural episode kicked off with a political cold open featuring George Fouracres portraying British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The sketch humorously depicted Starmer dodging a call from President Donald Trump, seeking advice from his deputy, David Lammy, played by Hammed Animashaun. The comedic setup saw Starmer nervously pondering, “Oh, golly! Wh-what if Donald shouts at me? What do I say?”

After finally answering the call, Starmer attempted to appease Trump with references to historic Anglo-American moments, such as D-Day and Live Aid, before jokingly referencing the sitcom Friends. “Most significantly, we need a break... not forever, just until you’ve got all this war out of your system,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience. Lammy later dryly observed, “Good work, sir. You did the bare minimum, and that’s all people expect from you.”

Following the cold open, the spotlight shifted to the night’s host, Tina Fey, a titan of American comedy and a key figure behind the resurgence of SNL during the 2000s. Fey, who made history by becoming the youngest person to host SNL UK, delivered her opening monologue with characteristic wit. She greeted the audience, humorously stating, “Here here, you might know me from Mean Girls, or maybe you recognize me from Veep, and that’s fine too.”

Fey tackled the elephant of the evening—why an American was hosting a British version of the show. “Well, like so many large scale American operations these days, no one really knows why,” she joked, prompting laughter and cheers from the live audience.

Interruptions from celebrity guests added to the comedic atmosphere. Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan chimed from the audience, questioning Fey’s hosting status: “If it’s SNL UK, then why are you our first host? Shouldn’t it be a British icon like David Beckham or Dame Judi Dench or even Shrek?” Fey responded with a candid admission: “The way it was explained to me was that for this first episode, anyway, how do I put this politely, none of you fuckers would do it.”

Michael Cera, known for his roles on Arrested Development and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, also made a surprise appearance. He expressed his surprise at the inclusion of swearing, using cheeky phrases like “shitbird” and “fucking bollocks,” and noted that he was Canadian, part of the Commonwealth, just like the UK.

Adding to the star-studded lineup, Graham Norton appeared to make Fey more relatable to British audiences, noting that the show was filmed at the same studio where his popular talk show is recorded. Norton quizzed Fey on her knowledge of British comedy, prompting her to showcase her impressive repertoire by quoting classic shows like Fawlty Towers and Are You Being Served, along with the viral Jet 2 Holidays voiceover advert.

The episode also featured a performance from Isle of Wight band Wet Leg, who served up lively music, solidifying the show’s entertainment value. The inaugural cast, including Fouracres, Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young, performed sketches that blended British and American humor.

Yet, the debut was not without its challenges. The live broadcast nearly started chaotically, with a Leeds United-Brentford Premier League match running long. Just before the show was set to air, Sky quickly cut over, landing right on time for the scheduled 10 p.m. slot.

The initial reaction from viewers has been largely positive, with many sketches said to have landed well. Comedy market watchers praised Fey’s performance for balancing American bravado with British self-awareness. Comedian Stevie Martin defended the show, urging audiences to give it a chance: “If you don’t like it, shrug and move on, and it will lead to more shows that you maybe do like. TV sketch comedy is on its knees right now. Just let it try.”

With eight episodes planned—extended to ten just days before the premiere—Sky is committed to giving SNL UK a chance to find its footing. Whether the show will become a staple of British television or a curious footnote remains to be seen. For now, Saturday Night Live UK has kicked off with a blend of sharp satire, celebrity cameos, and live unpredictability, setting the stage for a fascinating experiment across the Atlantic.