Reports that Sky will franchise the hit US comedy format

A British version of Saturday Night Live is in the pipeline, it has been reported.

The topical show is being developed by Sky, and would be an officially franchised version of the original, long-running NBC show.

Industry insider website Deadline reports that SNL executives are believed to be in London to work on the deal.

‘The move is the talk of British entertainment and talent circles with comedians lining up to be involved,’ the news source states.

And no wonder, given that the US original helped launch the careers of household names such as Will Ferrel, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Mike Myers, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien and current star Pete Davidson.

Saturday Night Live has previously been remade in China, Germany, Italy and South Korea. While many British shows have been influenced by the original, this would be the first time the format had been exactly copied, should the show make it to air.

Sky has already brought the show to British viewers as a key plank of the Sky Comedy channel schedules. The NBC show began in 1975 and tomorrow’s episode – to be guest hosted by Billie Eilish – will be its 917th.

Published: 10 Dec 2021