Posted in: Peacock, Sky One, TV | Tagged: snl, SNL UK

SNL UK Kicks Out Kanye West; Jack Whitehall/Jack Shep Cue Card Love

In this week's SNL UK Midweek Sketch, it's a Jack Whitehall/Jack Shep cue card love fest; Kanye West loses the April 25th hosting gig, too.

Sky and NOW's Saturday Night Live UK returns this weekend with award-winning comedian and actor Jack Whitehall (The 'Burbs, Jungle Cruise) as host, and modern soul icon Jorja Smith as the musical guest. That means that it's time for the SNL UK Midweek Sketch, which turns into a cue card lovefest between Whitehall and cast member Jack Shep (the reference at the end to Shep's Princess Diana impression was a nice touch). But what hit our radar was the little knife twist the sketch snuck in during the opener. If you haven't heard, SNL UK is taking a break after this weekend, returning on April 25th. Well, it seems that SNL UK already had its host and musical act set for the return show – until today.

In the clip above, Whitehall smiles as he looks over the season's hosting/musical act board, where he sees none other than Kanye West listed as pulling double duty on April 25th. Whitehall's expression changes as we see him take down the cards with West's name and throw them away. Earlier today, West was officially blocked from traveling to London to perform at the Wireless Festival. The decision came after increased pushback to West being booked for the event after years of repeated antisemitic and other hate-related remarks. Though West has made efforts to apologize and explain his actions, major sponsors such as Pepsi and Diego pulled out from the festival, with the groyp behind the Wireless Festival announcing that the event has been cancelled.

SNL UK Cold Open: UK PM Starmer Recruits Kane, Colman & Peppa Pig

Sky and NOW's SNL UK kept its Cold Open focused on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, played once again by George Fouracres. Between fears of war and economic downslides, the nation isn't doing well, and Starmer knows he's not the one for the job when it comes to inspiring the masses ("Look, I know I'm not inspiring. When I applied to join the Samaritans, I brought the vibe down so much that the interviewer called the Samaritans"). That means calling in a team comprised of some of the nation's most noteworthy names: soccer star Harry Kane (Al Nash), actor Olivia Colman (Emma Sidi), and cartoon character Peppa Pig (Annabel Marlow).

After looking to Kane for one of those "rousing team talks", it was time for Oscar-sporting Colman to take to the mic. Introduced as "a Briton with a smile that could light up a room, which could be useful when the power runs out," Colman tried to look at the bright side of an energy shortage in light of Donald Trump's war with Iran. "Hello, gosh, this is a bit sexy, isn't it, flirting with Iran and playing with oil? Next thing you know, then there's an energy shortage, the power is off, and we're snogging in the dark. Aren't I naughty?" Colman noted (with Sidi nailing it). Of course, when all else fails, you can never go wrong going to an adorable animated pig.

After Starmer noted that Peppa Pig represents a combination of "two of my greatest interests, outstanding British television and pork, the animated powerhouse wanted to make sure that the dark days don't last. "Thank you, Daddy Keir. Life is hell, but it doesn't last long, and soon the sadness will end," was Peppa's silver lining. Unfortunately, the energy crisis hit the event at exactly the wrong time. With the power cutting out, Starmer shifted into panic mode, yelling, "Fend for yourselves, everyone! Olivia Colman's trying to kiss me" (after Colman dove into him). From there, Fouracres, Nash, Sidi, and Marlow launched in the opening line: "Live from London, it's Saturday Night!"

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