“It’s all about Pizza Express Woking.”
It was just a matter of time before Saturday Night Live UK decided to tackle former Prince Andrew in its skits. In its second cold open, the show took a playful look back at 1997, portraying a younger Prince Andrew, played by Jack Shep, who recently gained attention for his spot-on impression of Princess Diana.
In this sketch, young Andrew meets with MI5 agents. His mission? Create a 29-year plan to make his brother, then just a prince, look good enough to become King. “I love my brother and my country,” he declares, ready to do whatever it takes to boost Charles’s popularity. This involves “decreasing the likability” of other royals, including Princes Harry and William.
As Andrew recites this elaborate plan, he brings up Jeffrey Epstein, asking, “You really want me to even befriend a notorious paedophile?” His humor lightens the serious implications.
He’s soon joined by Peter Mandelson, played by Larry Dean, another figure tied to Epstein. “No one will believe he’s corruptible,” Andrew jokes, referencing their recent troubles connected to the Epstein files.
The agents tell him the secret phrase to escape this elaborate plan: “Pizza Express Woking.” This refers to Andrew’s infamous excuse from his problematic BBC interview regarding Epstein. He humorously admits, “I’m not sure how to fit that into conversation.”
The episode showcases Jamie Dornan as the host, marking the show’s second week and its first featuring a host from outside the U.S. Dornan made playful references to Fifty Shades of Grey and even had a guest appearance from Irish actor Chris O’Dowd.
The inaugural cold open last week poked fun at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s relationship with Donald Trump. Daran Jonno Johnson, head writer, mentioned the overlapping dynamics between Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street, hinting at fresh comedic angles.
SNL UK airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. GMT and drops on Peacock in the U.S. the next day. The cast includes a mix of talented comedians who lend their voices to current events with a humorous twist.
Despite skepticism about whether an American format would resonate in the UK, the show received positive reviews and solid ratings.
As we follow the journey of SNL UK, it’s fascinating to see how humor adapts to cultural contexts. Shows like this can reflect societal moods and shift public perception, much like comedy has throughout history. They can spark conversations about serious topics while keeping the audience entertained.
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