Which is better?: SNL US v SNL UK
Ella Ryan writes a comparative piece between SNL US and UK, drawing on experiences as an American citizen and British university student
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons by Anthony Quintano
Every Sunday morning, when I open my phone to TikTok, I am immediately greeted with clips from the previous night’s US Saturday Night Live.
And this, for quite a few years now, is how I have gotten my fill of sketches and clips from SNL, as let’s be honest with ourselves, I was not staying up late enough to watch it while it was on air. Now that I have moved from the United States to England for university, I am definitely not catching SNL US as I have previously done.
One of the most interesting things from my move to the UK, for me, has been the difference in TV. When I woke up one Sunday morning and opened my TikTok to SNL UK, I was excited. I realised that SNL UK is a great way to absorb and enjoy UK culture in a medium that I am used to. Of course though, the burning question that can be had for someone who has now started to watch both versions: which one is better?
To set the scene, imagine my surprise when I found out that they are allowed to curse on SNL UK. In the US, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) sets strict limits and rules on what can be said on broadcast TV. While there is more leeway between 10pm and 6am, curse words are generally still restricted. For me personally, I love a good curse word, so SNL UK’s freedom to include them can make some sketches even funnier.
I would also say that SNL UK does better critiquing their other countries – including their own – as humour. While SNL US gives me quite the laugh every time, Colin Jost’s character as Pete Hegseth, I have to say that George Fouracre’s Andy Burnham is much more entertaining. One stand out moment came in the 13th episode of SNL UK, where we saw an epic crossover between James Austin Johnson and his rendition of Donald Trump alongside versions of Volodymyr Zelensky and Andy Burnham. It really seemed like he got to let loose more here in the UK, making his performance even more entertaining than usual.
Because SNL UK executes it well, I can’t even be mad when they make fun of SNL US. Let’s be honest, Shane Gillis’s criticism was totally deserved. In SNL UK, they can actually make really fun of politics and use stronger language, whereas in the US they have to be more tame and careful in fear of backlash from the president of the United States and fines from the FCC. Yet some of the jokes made at the expense of women on SNL UK have still raised eyebrows, prompting questions about where the show draws the lines.
SNL US has recently gained the absolute queen Grace Reiter, who made a name for herself through comedy sketches on TikTok, and more recently produced The Hunger Games But Better. Every time I’ve seen Grace in a sketch, she’s been the highlight of the episode. I mean, the “Newton’s Cradle” sketch was stellar. I think that as we get more young cast members on SNL US, it will help bring back some of the spark that has been missing from it recently. At the moment, a lot of sketches fall in this awkward middle ground: too Gen Z for older adults, but not quite Gen Z enough for Gen Z.
All in all, both SNL US and SNL UK are typically a really good time, even if each has their highs and lows. For me, they’re a great way for me to get a taste of home, while also getting a taste of the UK.
Words by Ella Ryan