John Oliver isn’t holding back when it comes to his thoughts on the upcoming British version of “Saturday Night Live“. Appearing on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” Monday night, the Emmy-winning comedian and host of “Last Week Tonight” took aim at the idea of recreating NBC’s iconic sketch format across the pond — and he didn’t mince words.
John Oliver’s Candid Thoughts on British “SNL”
“It sounds like a terrible idea,” Oliver said, prompting laughter from the studio audience. When pressed by Meyers, himself a former SNL head writer and cast member, Oliver elaborated: “We have had sketch comedy before, and I just feel like something like this is such a unique group.”
But then he took it a step further — or maybe several. “It’s a cult. I’m trying to not say the word — it’s a cult,” Oliver joked. “And so, I don’t know how you can impose that cult onto the U.K.”
Oliver, known for his sharp wit and piercing critiques, was referring to the famously intense behind-the-scenes culture at SNL, where cast and writers routinely pull overnight work sessions to prepare for Saturday’s live broadcast.
“That’s ridiculous,” he said, describing the show’s infamous Tuesday night writing marathons. “That’s the kind of thing a cult leader would make you do. We stay up all night on Tuesdays, by the way!”
Despite the humor, Oliver made a pointed observation: that while SNL has undeniably launched legendary careers, its production style isn’t a universal formula for success.
“I think it’s been proven that ‘SNL’ is the outlier,” he added. “It doesn’t have to be dictated to the day that you must not sleep on that day or the great leader will be irritated.”
John Oliver – A Career Built on Satire Not Sleep Deprivation
John Oliver is uniquely positioned to comment on the world of sketch comedy. After rising to fame as a correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”, where he served from 2006 to 2013, Oliver carved out his own niche with HBO’s “Last Week Tonight”. The show, which premiered in 2014, quickly distinguished itself with its investigative depth, meticulous writing, and Oliver’s signature blend of earnest outrage and absurd humor.
Though not a sketch show in the traditional sense, “Last Week Tonight” has demonstrated the power of long-form comedy journalism — a contrast to the rapid-fire sketch format of SNL. The series has earned multiple Emmy Awards and a devoted following, thanks in part to Oliver’s ability to turn seemingly dry policy topics — like net neutrality or municipal violations — into viral, must-watch television.
Oliver has often credited his British comedy roots for his style, citing formative influences like Monty Python, The Day Today, and Brass Eye — programs that helped define the U.K.’s own brand of absurdist and biting humor. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s skeptical of simply transplanting a distinctly American format like SNL without fully understanding what makes it tick.
SNL Heads to the U.K
Sky’s announcement last month that a British version of SNL is in development raised eyebrows on both sides of the Atlantic. Lorne Michaels, the show’s legendary creator and executive producer, is reportedly involved in the new iteration. While the format has been replicated in countries like Germany, Italy, and South Korea, success has varied — and many British comedians, including Oliver, wonder if the magic can really be replicated.
With decades of television and stand-up under his belt, Oliver’s skepticism may be more than just a joke. It’s a warning — albeit a funny one — that great comedy doesn’t necessarily follow a template. And as “Last Week Tonight” continues to rack up accolades while avoiding sleepless writing nights, perhaps he’s earned the right to question the cult-like rituals of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
