While the show’s weekly budget still falls far short of its Stateside counterpart’s rumoured $4 million (£3 million) per episode, it’s a figure that is almost unheard of for a topical sketch show in the U.K., even one running to 75-minutes.
Insiders tell Variety that a typical British sketch show usually costs around £300-500,000 per episode, less than a quarter of “SNL U.K.’s” budget.
They pointed out it’s one of the reasons the sketch show format has become something of a dying art in the U.K. “They’re expensive, which is why no one does them anymore,” says one entertainment veteran. “Topical shows also have no repeatability, unlike dramas.”
The ratings for the inaugural episode…drew a respectable 226,000 viewers
Online, and particularly YouTube, where “SNL” skits tend to have their most successful half-life, Fey’s opening monologue attracted over 1.6 million views in less than 48 hours, followed by the Keir Starmer cold open with 1 million views.
It’s interesting because those YouTube views are roughly in line with the viewership of SNL in the US (on YouTube).
I wonder if the same people are watching both series.
Its also being shown on Peacock in the US
Let’s be honest, these shows are expensive only because some people cash in a lot more money than they deserve. Period.
Well, no. In this case they have a large cast and a very large writers’ room, and have taken occupancy of TC1 at TV Centre for the duration. Then there are dozens of sets per week, many of which wont make the final episode. Costumes, props, etc.
