Live from London, it’s Saturday night, and SNL UK is back for its third episode. Taking on hosting duties for the night is the UK’s most dated woman, Amelia Dimoldenberg. Fresh off ending her behemoth YouTube show, Chicken Shop Date, the content creator steps from behind the camera and onto the stage to see how she fares in front of a live audience.
Things get off to a bumpy start with a considerably weak cold open in which Liam and Noel Gallagher turn out to be Russian sleeper agents intent on taking control of Britain. As opens go, it has its moments, but making any version of Andy Burnham, fictional or otherwise, even remotely interesting is a task too great for even someone of George Fouracres’ talents, and the segment features the predictable “I said maybe” gag that has been done in every single Oasis sketch ever.
Things remain pretty uneven once Dimoldenberg hits the stage, as well. Known for her dry, awkward screen presence, the presenter appears just as awkward in front of the live audience, but less so in a charming or natural way. Instead, the star’s eyes rarely dart away from the cue cards, and it is clear that she is no longer in her comfort zone. The writing, not just during the monologue but throughout the show, more than elevates things, though. One great line during the monologue is one where Dimbleby makes a comparison between chicken shops and SNL UK, hilariously quipping: “My favourite chicken shops were always the ones that were nearly KFC, like PFC, DFC, CFC. It’s basically KFC without the same history, reputation, or star quality, which is why I wanted to host SNL UK.”
After a baffling Harry Kane Babybel advert spoof, we get to the first high point of the night with the host as a new employee learning the ropes at a wax museum. It’s essentially an impersonation parade, but one that brings plenty of laughs, especially when George Fouracres, Freddie Meredith, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young turn up as The Beatles.
The next two sketches of the night are not only the best of the season, but two of the best sketches that Saturday Night Live UK has produced thus far. Firstly is ‘Big Cargo Jorts,’ a silly idea with George Fouracres pulling off a ridiculous accent—an unbeatable combo as far as SNL UK is concerned. The sketch features so many ridiculously funny lines that it really is best to go in blind and laugh your arse off.
The latter sketch asks the age-old question: if your house was on fire, what is the one prized possession you would take with you? Well, for the couple in this scenario, it is their L-shaped couch. It has wide seats, a chaise section, and it has “changed the way they host.” As more and more firefighters enter the room, the more they fight to save this couch. It’s simple, it’s hilarious, and, shocker, it features Fouracres in yet another spotlight-stealing role which brings the house down.
Well, if Fouracres is the show’s most reliable cast member, then Weekend Update is the show’s most reliable segment. Yet again, Ania Magliano and Paddy Young bring their A-game. Even when the writing isn’t quite up to their level, the duo elevate the material and garner some of the best reactions of the night. If you’ve been lucky enough to catch Magliano’s latest hour, Peach Fuzz, then you’re also bound to recognise a certain moment in which she plays with two dolls.
As far as the closing stretch of the show goes, it might well be one of the weakest that SNL UK has ever produced. A parody of ‘The One Show’ featuring a segment of a man doing the Worm around all of the UK for charity fails to garner much interest, and the closing sketch, where two posh Londoners host a podcast, feels rather one-note.
All in all, this episode of Saturday Night Live UK is up there as one of the most rocky shows in the series’ history. While Dimoldenberg is ultimately disappointing as a host, it never feels as though she is given more than she can handle. Standing more to the side and letting the cast do their thing, the show manages a couple of highlights. That said, those highlights are few and far between.
Sketch of the Week: Big Cargo Jorts
Performer of the Week: George Fouracres
SNL UK airs weekly on Sky/NOW.
