British comedians reportedly 'lining up to be involved' in UK version of 'Saturday Night Live' (original) (raw)

A British version of the popular topical comedy show Saturday Night Live is reportedly in development at Sky.

SNL has been a part of the furniture on American TV since it was launched on NBC in 1975 and has been exported to many different countries.

Deadline Hollywood has reported that representatives from the show are currently in London negotiating with Sky, which has caused buzz in the UK comedy scene.

"The move is the talk of British entertainment and talent circles, with comedians lining up to be involved," the report reads.

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The prospect of a British take on SNL has been mooted for years, with Saturday Live in the 1980s perhaps one of the closest imitators.

That show aired on Channel 4 and helped to launch the TV careers of Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Harry Enfield and Ben Elton.

Other late night comedy shows including Channel 4's 10 O'Clock Live — fronted by Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Lauren Laverne and Charlie Brooker — and the Jason Manford-presented Tonightly have failed to catch fire in the ratings.

Saturday Night Live, however, is a well-known brand on both sides of the Atlantic, with clips from the show often going viral on social media, allowing them to be disseminated outside of the States.

Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie became stsra as part of 1980s TV show 'Saturday Live'. (Comic Relief via Getty Images)

The success of SNL has seen it serve as a pipeline for comedy talent in the USA, with huge names featuring in its cast, as well as in the guest host role.

Alumni of the show's ensemble include numerous stars who would go on to Hollywood success, including the likes of Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell and, more recently, Pete Davidson.

Sky has not yet confirmed whether it is launching a UK take on Saturday Night Live, but it did begin airing the US version of the show last year.

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