The first episode of “Saturday Night Live UK” aired across the pond – and it soon led to embarrassment for Andrew-Mountbatten-Windsor.
During the first weekend’s update, hosts Ania Magliano and Paddy Young did not hold back when talking to the former prince, who was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office following the release of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
Before that, he had been stripped of his royal title and asked to leave his residence at the Royal Lodge at Windsor.
“Coming with the weekend update: pedophilia. But first, war!” Magliano said at the start of the segment, drawing a strong reaction from the live audience.
After a few jokes about the Iran conflict, the focus is on Andrew, whose permanent residence will be at Marsh Farm on King Charles’ Sandringham Estate.
“Renovations to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new home, Marsh Farm, have been going on for the past month, including the installation of Sky TV. So, if you’re watching this Andrew, hello!” Magliano joked. “You won’t match the next one, and I’m older than I look.
“Andrew’s new residence, Marsh Farm, is named after the nearby marsh where his body was found.”
“It has been reported this week that the police investigation into Andrew will expand,” Young said. “The big question now is, if Andrew is indicted, found guilty and sent to prison, will he be able to keep his mouth shut? I hope not,” said his colleague.
The episode also turned briefly to another high-profile British family: the Beckhams.
“Father and son David and Brooklyn Beckham narrowly missed each other when they were at the same hotel in Beverly Hills,” Young began. “The row started when Victoria was, quote, ‘unreasonably’ close to her son at her wedding, and escalated after Brooklyn accidentally called out his wife’s name during sex with his mother.”
This episode marked the UK debut of the long-running American variety show. The British version follows a similar structure, with celebrity hosts, live sketches, and musical performances.
Before its premiere, the series had already received a vote of confidence from its network, Sky.
Originally planned as a six-episode series, it was expanded to eight 75-minute episodes, with each installment written and rehearsed in the week leading up to its live broadcast.
The first episode was hosted by Tina Fey, who wrote and starred in the US version between 1997 and 2006. Music for the night was from Wet Leg.
Future episodes are set to feature hosts including Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed, as well as musical guests Wolf Alice and Kasabian.
Alongside Weekend Update hosts Magliano and Young, the show’s main cast consists of Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep and Emma Sidi.
When the show was announced, a press release teased what would happen to the series, saying, “Together, this first wave of hosts, musical guests and cast members marks the beginning of a bright new chapter for the world-famous ‘SNL’ franchise – combining its storied legacy with a new generation of British comedy voices.”
