SNL UK’s Debut Skit Roasts Prince Andrew & Beckham Family Feud

The launch of “Saturday Night Live UK” didn’t shy away from current events, immediately taking aim at the ongoing controversies surrounding Prince Andrew, Duke of York. The debut episode, hosted by Tina Fey and featuring musical guest Wet Leg, featured a pointed segment on Weekend Update that addressed both his recent arrest and his current living arrangements.

Hosts Ania Magliano and Paddy Young wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room, referencing Andrew’s arrest earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office, stemming from the fallout of the Jeffrey Epstein case. The segment acknowledged his prior stripping of royal titles and removal from his residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

The tone was decidedly sharp. Magliano opened the segment with a jarring juxtaposition, stating, “Coming up on Weekend Update: pedophilia. But first, war!” – a comment that drew a noticeable reaction from the live audience. While the segment did briefly address the ongoing Iran conflict, it quickly circled back to Andrew, whose new, more modest living situation was also a target.

“Renovations to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new home, Marsh Farm, have been taking place over the last month, including the installation of Sky TV. So, if you’re watching this Andrew, hello!” Magliano quipped. She continued, “You’re not gonna like this next bit. Also, I’m older than I gaze.”

The jokes didn’t stop there. Magliano delivered a particularly dark line, stating, “Andrew’s new residence, Marsh Farm, is of course named after the nearby marsh where his body will be found.” Young followed up, referencing the ongoing police investigation, questioning whether Andrew would be able to “keep his mouth shut” if charged and imprisoned, adding a provocative, albeit crude, hypothetical comment about his potential cellmate.

The Weekend Update segment also briefly turned its attention to another British family, the Beckhams, referencing recent reports of a feud between David and Brooklyn Beckham. Young joked about reports that Victoria Beckham was “inappropriately” close to her son at his wedding and that Brooklyn had accidentally yelled out his wife’s name during intimacy with his mother.

The premiere of “SNL UK” represents a significant expansion of the long-running American comedy institution. The British version mirrors the format of its US counterpart, featuring a celebrity host, live sketches, and musical performances. The series received a vote of confidence from Sky, initially planned for six episodes before being expanded to eight 75-minute installments, each written and rehearsed in the week leading up to its live broadcast.

Fey, a veteran of the American “SNL” having written for and starred in the show between 1997 and 2006, presented the inaugural episode. Future episodes are slated to feature Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed as hosts, with musical performances by Wolf Alice, and Kasabian.

The show’s core cast includes Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, and Emma Sidi. A press release announcing the series emphasized its aim to “blend its storied legacy with a fresh generation of British comedy voices.”

The willingness of “SNL UK” to tackle such a sensitive and high-profile case as that of Prince Andrew in its very first episode signals a potentially bolder and more provocative approach than its American counterpart. Whether this will prove successful in attracting a British audience remains to be seen, but it certainly establishes a clear tone and willingness to engage with contemporary issues.