Saturday Night Live UK is getting attention at the end of the first part of its second season, led by Cynthia Erivo’s “Nigerian Wicked” sketch, which has nearly 2 million views on YouTube. Erivo hosted the Season 2 finale on Saturday, Oct. 24, and The Hollywood Reporter asked whether the Sky series has “finally found its groove.”
Why is ‘SNL UK’ getting attention?
The Hollywood Reporter called “Nigerian Wicked” the show-stealer of the finale and reported that its YouTube clip hit one million views in less than 24 hours.
Aimee Lou Wood, a former SNL UK host, shared the sketch and wrote, “I will write a book on the love I have for Ayoade Bamgboye and it will take my whole life to express the depths,” per NME.. Bamgboye, who wrote the sketch, wrote on Instagram, “I’ll need another six-12 months to process what it’s like to witness her craft up close.”
What happens in ‘Nigerian Wicked’?
The sketch takes its cues from early-2000s Nigerian film, per NME. Bamgboye plays Elphaba opposite Erivo’s Glinda, and Hammed Animashaun plays the Wizard. Erivo wears a blonde wig and a pink tracksuit as a Glinda who slaps Elphaba and nearly kisses her, per TV Insider.
THR notes the sketch’s shoddy visual effects and melodramatic narration, including the line, “Glinda doesn’t like egg, so their relationship is very strained.” When the pair find the Wizard of LagOz is broke, Erivo says, “That’s a nolex!”
Who has hosted ‘SNL UK’ Season 2?
Jeff Goldblum hosted the season premiere on Sept. 9 with musical guest CMAT, drawing an overnight audience of 105,000, per THR. Jamie Demetriou, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Danny Dyer and James Norton hosted the next four episodes, followed by Erivo in the finale.
Season 1 was led by Tina Fey, whose episode drew more than 220,000 viewers in Britain, according to THR.
Who is in the ‘SNL UK’ cast?
Hammed Animashaun, Al Nash, Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Annabel Marlow, Jack Shep and Emma Sidi returned for Season 2, with Freddie Meredith joining as the one newcomer, per THR. Weekend Update presenters Ania Magliano and Paddy Young both had sold-out solo runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.
What else was in the Erivo episode?
Erivo opened with a monologue that poked fun at her intense Wicked press tour image, according to THR. She joked about her nails, saying, “I haven’t had to use cutlery in years,” then imagined competing on The Great British Bake Offwith them. “I’ve got a soggy bottom, and I’m freaking stressed!” she said.
Her other sketches included playing a secret hitwoman who tries to clear a B&B breakfast room by feigning a passion for birds, and joining Marlow for “Modern Music.” Blossoms performed twice as the musical guest.
When does ‘SNL UK’ return?
The 2026 finale aired Saturday on Sky and NOW. It was the final show of the year, and THR says SNL UK returns in January.
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