Saturday Night Live presented with BAFTA Special Award

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) honoured Saturday Night Live on Thursday 4 October, at DUMBO House, New York, with a Special Award to celebrate its influence on television comedy in the UK and around the world.

The BAFTA Special Award was presented by Sir Patrick Stewart to Saturday Night Live’s creator and producer Lorne Michaels at a private event, in partnership with Cadillac.

Sir Patrick Stewart said: "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. So many British shows have been inspired by you."

Lorne Michaels said: “Thank you so much for this. I'm accepting this award on the behalf of many of the people here. I'm really honoured with this.” 

Saturday Night Live cast members Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Kenan Thompson as well as Simon Pegg, all attended the event.

Many tributes have been coming in for the US comedy series on receiving the BAFTA Special Award.

Daniel Radcliffe said: “The cast, writers and crew of Saturday Night Live make it look very easy, but there is an undercurrent of people who mount an entire show from nothing in a week, and that really has an exciting effect when you are watching.”

Tom Hiddleston said: "Saturday Night Live is an iconic show, I am a huge fan, and we all love the show here in the UK, congratulations!”

Tom Davis, actor, writer, and BAFTA Breakthrough Brit 2016, said: "For me, Saturday Night Live has been the biggest inspiration for my whole career. It has brought the best of sketch and satire. It’s the benchmark for everything we do in this industry.”

The popular show has unearthed some of the most famous comic talents in the world, such as Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, bringing laughter and inspiration to many British comedians.

Although not broadcast on British television, Saturday Night Live still has a very special connection to the UK, having influenced British comedy and entertainment for decades with its unique formula of impressions and comedy sketches, a formula which draws in UK audiences through clips online.

As well as the influence on the UK, it 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.

As one of BAFTA’s highest honours, the Special Award is presented to celebrate exceptional achievement in film, games or television.

Find out more in the original BAFTA press release announcing the honour.