Lorne Michaels Wants ‘SNL U.K.’ to Be ‘Smarter and Funnier’ Than U.S. Version: It Should Be the ‘Cooler of the Two Shows’
“Saturday Night Live” creator and longtime producer Lorne Michaels may be involved with the recently launched U.K. version of the sketch comedy show, but he insists he’s not too hands-on. “My design for it was that it would be the cooler of the two shows, and it would be the thing they beat us up [&
By Variety
Lorne Michaels, the legendary creator of 'Saturday Night Live,' recently shared his vision for the show's new U.K. adaptation, stating he wants it to be 'smarter and funnier' than the original U.S. version. Speaking at the premiere of his documentary, 'Lorne,' Michaels emphasized that the U.K. version should be its own entity rather than a mere imitation. He has encouraged the U.K. production team, led by James Longman, to find their own comedic voice while leveraging the 50-year legacy of the SNL format.
The U.K. version, which premiered on March 21 with a diverse cast including Hammed Animashaun and Emma Sidi, has already sparked interest for its unique take on the sketch comedy institution. Michaels, now 81, remains an advisor but insists that the 'cooler' of the two shows must be driven by the local team's creativity. This expansion to the U.K. comes at a time when 'Saturday Night Live' is celebrating its half-century mark, reflecting on its enduring impact on global culture and comedy.