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Saturday Night Live U.K. Tackles Controversy in First Episode
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In Short: The first episode of Saturday Night Live U.K. began with a politically timely cold open that mocked the royal family, specifically targeting King Charles and Princess Diana's funeral arrangements.
The New York Times reported that the show's debut felt like a parallel universe, with the cast shouting, 'Live from London, it’s Saturday night!'
The cold open featured the cast bringing back Princess Diana as an AI assistant for King Charles, mocking the monarch's alleged comment that she would be forgotten 'soon enough' while arguing with Earl Charles Spencer over her funeral arrangements in 1997.
The sketch also poked fun at the recent controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran's tour, where Macklemore was fired as an opening act for making pro-Palestinian remarks.
Meanwhile, Sheeran addressed the controversy at his concert in Philadelphia on Saturday night, issuing a tearful apology to his fans and expressing his regret over the difficult decisions he had to make.
The cold open's controversial content and the show's debut set the stage for what could be a unique and politically charged season of Saturday Night Live U.K.
What this adds
The controversy surrounding Sheeran's tour and the firing of Macklemore provided a timely and relevant topic for the show's debut.
Background
Saturday Night Live (SNL) is an American late-night live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock. The show's premiere was hosted by George Carlin on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title NBC's Saturday Night.
What's confirmed
- The cold open featured the cast bringing back Princess Diana as an AI assistant for King Charles, mocking the monarch's alleged comment that she would be forgotten 'soon enough' while arguing with Earl Charles Spencer over her funeral arrangements in 1997.
- The sketch also poked fun at the recent controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran's tour, where Macklemore was fired as an opening act for making pro-Palestinian remarks.
- Meanwhile, Sheeran addressed the controversy at his concert in Philadelphia on Saturday night, issuing a tearful apology to his fans and expressing his regret over the difficult decisions he had to make.
- The cold open's controversial content and the show's debut set the stage for what could be a unique and politically charged season of Saturday Night Live U.K.
What's still developing
- Accordingly, the first episode began with a politically timely cold open.
- She spent her preteen years in London and has a Pavlovian response to the theme songs for BBC News and “Fawlty Towers.” When “Saturday Night Live U.K.” premiered in March, it was fair to assume it would follow the same rhythms and traditions that have defined Saturday nights on American TV for over half a century.
- (News 10) - The Mid-American Conference is officially appealing the result of Saturday’s Michigan vs.
- Jon Steinbrecher initially released a statement Saturday night saying the conference had reached out to the Big Ten office seeking clarification regarding the review at the end of the game that saw one second added back to the game clock, ultimately leading to the Wolverines’ 47-yard Hail Mary.
- As we reported, Sheeran was scheduled to play Gillette last Friday and Saturday before both shows were ultimately canceled because of severe weather.
- Gillette's official schedule confirms Bryan is playing the stadium both Friday and Saturday night.
- Comedian Shane Gillis drew controversy again for his “Saturday Night Live” monologue Saturday after commenting that he “didn’t know women just dress like whores now” at the gym.
- ` The Miami Hurricanes remained undefeated on Saturday night with a 43-35 double-overtime victory over rival Florida State, but not without plenty of controversy and perhaps some help from ACC referees.
- Sometimes when it comes to conflicts, the bravest thing you can do is to say nothing at all.” Poking fun at the recent controversy over Sheeran dropping Macklemore as his opening act over his “free Palestine” comments, Marlow then sang in character: “I’m talking ‘bout both sides are equally right.
- Just hours after last night’s episode aired, Sheeran took to the stage for the first time since all his support acts pulled out of his tour over his treatment of Macklemore.
- Meanwhile, in real life, Sheeran was addressing an audience at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night.
- The decision was announced on Saturday, October 17, following several days of controversy surrounding Chmerkovskiy’s comments about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.