Saturday Night Live, the long-running late-night comedy series that nurtured talents like Tina Fey, Will Ferrell and John Belushi, won a special BAFTA in New York.
Saturday Night Live’s creator and producer Lorne Micheals accepted the Award from Sir Patrick Stewart in recognition of the show’s lasting influence on comedy in the UK and around the world.
Saturday Night Live cast members Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Kenan Thompson, plus Simon Pegg, attended the event, held at DUMBO House on Thursday 4 October 2018.
“It is my absolute pleasure to present this Special Award, celebrating the exceptional achievements of Saturday Night Live, a series that has discovered, nurtured and celebrated generations of comedy talent,” said Stewart.
“So many British shows have been inspired by you.”
Connecting US and British comedy
SNL is famous for finding new comic talents including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd. It’s also inspired many British comedians with its unique format of late-night impressions and sketches. Despite not being broadcast on British TV the show has found a new UK audience online.
“For me, Saturday Night Live has been the biggest inspiration for my whole career,” says Tom Davis, actor, writer and BAFTA Breakthrough Brit 2016.
“It has brought the best of sketch and satire. It’s the benchmark for everything we do in this industry.”
SNL has also showcased the best of British talent to US audiences through guest hosts from Peter Cook and Dudley Moore in the first season to Benedict Cumberbatch and Emily Blunt in 2017.
