“Did someone say Poppins?,” asks Tina Fey as she hovers above a group of bemused British comedians.
The first-ever SNL UK sketch has dropped ahead of this Saturday’s opening show and it’s all about the guest host, who was announced this week as the first to front the UK version of Lorne Michaels‘ show.
The teaser sketch, titled ‘ Tina Fey – A practically perfect host’ sees her descend awkwardly from the set rafters dressed as Mary Poppins as the cast discuss how they’ll let people know about the 10pm local time launch.
“Gather round children,” says Fey in a Poppins-esque British accent. “Nanny’s here with everything you need for a practically perfect- you know what, I’m gonna drop the voice,” she continues, switching back to her natural American. “I’ve got everything you need for your first ever SNL UK.”
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Out of her bag comes comedy netting, wigs, an extra-tall lamp, a crown (“In case you wanna do royal stuff”), an extremely long shoe, an eel pie “with extra eel” for cast member Jack Shep, the Epstein Files and a large pair of comedy pants.
Cast member Emma Sidi then stops Fey in her tracks, saying, “Hey Tina, we love that you’re here but we’re just trying to figure out how to promote the show,” to which Fey responds, “Oh, of course, why do you think I brought this?” as she reveals a banner revealing her as the sketch series’ first host.
She’s soon being winched back up, pulling an awkward smile. “It really hurts my crotch,” she says as she exits. “Goodbye… goodbye, children,” she adds as she bangs into a back wall and hangs overhead.
Fey is hosting the first-ever SNL UK, which launches on Sky One at 10 p.m. GMT (2 p.m. PT) and Peacock the following day. She will be followed by Riz Ahmed then Jamie Dornan in the guest host’s chair for the show that we first reported was in the works nearly five years ago.
Buzz has been building for SNL UK all week and press will be given a teaser tomorrow night at a swanky Sky Up Next event. More teasers will likely be dropping through the week as Sky builds hype for the show, which kicks off with a six-episode order.
SNL UK is being produced by James Longman, formerly of The Late Late Show.
Cast of mainly up-and-comers is comprised of Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young.
Led by Daran Jonno Johnson, the writing team features Al Roberts, Ayo Adenekan, Bella Hull, Celya AB, Charlie Skelton, Chris Cantrill, Ellie Fulcher, Gráinne Maguire, Hari Kanth, Humphrey Ker, James Farmer, Jonno Johnson, Joseph Moore, Keith Akushie, Laura Claxton, Lorna Rose Treen, Louis Waymouth, Nathan Foad, Omar Badawy, and Omodara Olatunji.
SNL UK is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio with Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video. SNL UK was commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Sky Commissioning Executive Lisa Clark, and Cecile Frot-Coutaz, who serves as CEO of Sky Studios & Chief Content Officer for Sky. Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK Productions is overseen by Managing Director Helen Kruger Bratt. Shanna Baynard will serve as Executive in Charge of Production, with Andy Charles Smith as the Lead Producer for UTAS UK Productions, alongside Sam Salter as Production Executive.