Latest news with #SaturdayLive
BBC News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Nikki Bedi presents her final Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4
Nikki Bedi has presented her final episode of Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4. Guests on her last programme included TV writer, author, comedian, and former doctor Adam Kay; Kevin Rowland - front man of Dexy's Midnight Runners, and Anna Whitwam who found an outlet for grief in boxing. Adrian Chiles will begin presenting Saturday Live for the next series when it returns on 6 September and will be the sole host. He remains presenting on BBC Radio 5 Live. Nikki will continue to host The Arts Hour on the BBC World Service and The Arts Hour On Tour, a show which travels to different cities in the world bringing that country's biggest and brightest creatives in their fields, together, for a spirited debate before a live audience. Previous episodes have recorded in Bangkok, Bucharest and St Louis in the USA. She has also hosted a range of cultural programmes across BBC News including Discovering the World's Culture and Encounter Culture. Nikki Bedi says: 'I have loved presenting Saturday Live for the past 5 years. Thank you for having me in your ears. It's been both a joy and a privilege to hear and be a conduit for so many extraordinary guests' stories. Thank you to the wonderful Cardiff team who work so hard every week to put the show together. I look forward to new adventures on Radio 4.' Adrian Chiles says: 'I've always enjoyed Saturday Live, both as a listener and occasional guest. And it was great to co-present alongside Nikki earlier this year. I know what a great relationship she's had with the Saturday Live audience, and I hope to bring the same warmth, interest and sense of fun to Saturday mornings on Radio 4.' Mohit Bakaya, BBC Director of Speech and Controller of Radio 4 says: 'I want to thank Nikki for her excellent stewardship of Saturday Live over the past five years, with its eclectic mix of insightful and lively conversations each week. I'm delighted to welcome Adrian to Radio 4 and look forward to his distinctive blend of curiosity, humour and intelligence on Saturday mornings from September." Saturday Live moved to Wales two years ago as part of the BBC's Across the UK commitment to broadcasting more content outside of London. Adrian will continue to present the programme from Cardiff. PS Follow For More
The Herald Scotland
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Farewell, Shereen, we will miss you - now Radio Scotland faces choice
You have to say that 17 years is a pretty decent shift on radio or anywhere else these days, so it is worth raising a glass to the presenter for her services over the years. She has certainly been a safe pair of hands. The magazine format which Shereen's programme pursues now seems compulsory on Saturday mornings across the board on both TV and radio in the UK. But whereas Saturday Live on Radio 4 tends to stick to a lifestyle and human interest beat, Shereen's programme has always mixed the serious and un-serious together. And so on Saturday the show moved from a disagreement about a new Orlando Bloom film on Amazon Prime to discussing Labour's U-turn on winter fuel to a tribute to the late, great Beach Boy, Brian Wilson, to a discussion of the riots in Ballymena last week. Read more Nanjiani and her guests, journalists Angela Haggerty and Paul McNamee and screenwriter Sergio Casci, have opinions on all of them. Well, that is the brief, of course. Actually, all three contributors were very good. McNamee grew up in Ballymena and spoke with angry eloquence about what was happening in his hometown. But going from riots to some minor Channel 4 sci-fi show, does feel a bit strange, doesn't it? Or is that just me? (A minor thing, but why is there always such an emphasis on talking about TV programmes on these radio magazine programmes? Of course people watch telly, but they also go out to gigs and read books and visit galleries. And they also listen to other radio shows. Why do they never talk about other radio shows on radio shows?) In truth, I'm always slightly suspicious of programmes in which everyone has an opinion on everything. But that's because I often find it's perfectly possible not to have an opinion sometimes. Indeed, I manage to have no opinions on things all the time. (What do you mean that's obvious?) So, it was rather refreshing on Saturday when Angela Haggerty admitted that she didn't know what she thought about the ongoing controversy around the development of a controversial holiday park at Loch Lomond. All that said, Shereen's programme has always felt approachable and accessible, and a lot of that has been down to its presenter. So you could understand McNamee, a regular guest, getting rather emotional when he paid tribute to her. 'There's something very special about Shereen,' he said of the programme he has been appearing on for the last 16 years. 'It brings, I think, companionship. And when you're listening at home you feel as though you are part of something more … I think that is what will be what is missed most.' Good luck with replacing it, Radio Scotland. Radio drama can be, I accept, something of an acquired taste, but I have a fondness for light and breezy Radio 4 afternoon dramas because they were my introduction to the station back in the 1980s when my listening habits didn't, on the whole, stretch much further than Radio 1. As a result, maybe some of my enjoyment of Katie Retford's Fran and Joe: Summer Fate on Tuesday afternoon was nostalgic. But Retford's drama series - this is the third and last in the series - is a sweet, warm account of a tentative romance between two primary teachers played by Fiona Button and Nikesh Patel (who's already played the love interest in Rose Matafeo's TV sitcom Starstruck). The real star here, though, was Joanna Monroe playing Miss Pear, another teacher and potential matchmaker. Having appeared in both previous episodes, Christmas Wings and World Book Day, here she got to give a speech and seized the opportunity gleefully. Indeed, she packed so much emotion into her minute or two of monologue that it overshadowed everything that followed. That said, I love a good romance and this fitted the bill. For the most part it was just two people talking about love and grief in the rain. Turns out that's more than enough sometimes. Nicola Benedetti (Image: free) Listen Out For: The Truth About Classical Music, Classic FM, Friday, June 27, 9pm As the behemoth that is the Glastonbury Festival prepares to devour TV and radio, Classic FM offers an alternative with this new six-part series fronted by Nicola Benedetti. In it, the Grammy-winning violinist and director of the Edinburgh International Festival lifts the curtain on the world of classical music.
Express Tribune
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
SNL is heading to the UK with an all-British cast for new series
Get ready, Britain — your Saturday nights are about to get a lot funnier (and possibly a lot weirder). Sky officially announced on Thursday that a UK version of 'Saturday Night Live' is in the works, set to premiere in 2026 with an all-British cast. That's right — "Live from across the pond, it's Saturday night!" The London-based show will mirror the original's legendary format: live sketches, chaotic improv, celebrity hosts, and musical guests — just now with more tea, accents, and probably at least one sketch about queueing politely. Legendary SNL creator Lorne Michaels (who, in case you're wondering, is still not planning to retire at age 80) will executive produce the series alongside Broadway Video and Universal Television Alternative Studio's UK division. No pressure, right? Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz said in a press release: "For over 50 years 'Saturday Night Live' has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels." "The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year – all live from London on Saturday night." SNL first hit American TV screens on October 11, 1975 and is now celebrating its 50th season — half a century of iconic sketches, presidential impressions, and enough celebrity cameos to fill Wembley Stadium. Over the years, it helped launch careers of comedy royalty like Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Chris Rock, Will Ferrell, and so many others. Michaels recently told The Hollywood Reporter he's in it for the long haul, reassuring fans he has "no plans to leave" the US show anytime soon. This isn't the first time SNL has crossed borders — previous (and short-lived) versions have aired in Japan, Italy, and China. Fun fact: South Korea's take on SNL is still running strong. And if this sounds slightly familiar to British audiences, it's because Channel 4 had a show called 'Saturday Live' from 1985 to 1988, with a brief revival on ITV in 1996. That series featured an impressive lineup, including Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Ben Elton, Chris Barrie, Julian Clary, Tracey Ullman, Craig Ferguson, Josie Lawrence, and Rik Mayall. Basically, a who's who of British comedy legends. The real question is: Will Brits roast their politicians even harder than Americans do? Given the state of things... safe bet. Stay tuned for the chaos — because in 2026, Saturday nights in London are about to get seriously loud.
The Guardian
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Sky announces ‘star-studded' UK version of Saturday Night Live
Over the last 50 years, Saturday Night Live has become a cornerstone of US television and a conveyor belt for new comedy talent, attracting A-list cameos and launching careers. British TV executives are now hoping it can bring some of that lustre across the Atlantic in a deal to bring it to the UK for the first time. After numerous failed attempts to recreate the late-night comedy format that has proved so successful in the US, Sky has announced it is making a British version of the show to premiere next year. Crucially, the show's original creator and champion, Lorne Michaels, will be an executive producer. The broadcaster is already promising a 'star-studded lineup of hosts', adding that it will be filmed in London. It is also promising to stay true to the US show's 'live, fast-paced style' – which has included comedy sketches, a roster of comic presenters and musical guests – with a cast list of 'the funniest British comedians around'. It will no doubt be a draw for leading comedians in the UK, as the US original has launched the careers of comedy royalty including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell and Mike Myers. Sky's chief content officer, Cécile Frot-Coutaz, said: 'For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels. The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show.' The move is also a gamble by Sky, given the number of previous attempts to recreate a live, late-night comedy show concentrating on topical issues. While the UK has had a number of hit comedy panel shows, such as Have I Got News for You, the live sketch-style programme has not endured in the same way. In the 1980s, Saturday Live was launched and similarly featured rising and established talent, including Ben Elton, Harry Enfield, Stephen Fry, Tracey Ullman, Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall. It was moved to Friday nights for its third series before being cancelled. It was briefly revived in 1996, hosted by Lee Hurst. Channel 4 launched Saturday Zoo in the early 1990s, featuring comedy and celebrity interviews. It ran for just 13 episodes. Channel 4's The 11 O'Clock Show also worked with up-and-coming comedians and boosted the careers of Ricky Gervais, Sacha Baron Cohen and Jimmy Carr. Brian Logan, the Guardian's comedy critic, said there was a 'strange alchemy' in the early successes of SNL in the US that had made it self-sustaining. 'They're quite different comedy cultures,' he said. 'It's not just SNL that has been tried here, but also late-night talkshows and comedy shows. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'And America has experimented with panel shows, which never seem to take off in America, but are a massive comedy vehicle for comedians in the UK. So there is clearly something going on whereby these things don't always transfer. But if the SNL team are involved in this one, it stands a better chance than some.' Others in the TV industry say the format's mixed success in the UK comes down to money. In the US, the show's backers are able to pay and retain top comedy talent. But shows in the UK, made on far lower budgets, often lose their star performers to more lucrative ventures.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Emilia Fox breaks silence after death of Silent Witness creator Nigel McCrery
Emilia Fox has paid tribute to Silent Witness creator Nigel McCrery following his death aged 71. Nigel, a former police officer who also created the BBC series New Tricks, revealed last year he was diagnosed with an unspecified terminal illness. Nigel 🩷 — Emilia Fox (@EmiliaFox) February 10, 2025 Emilia, who plays Dr Nikki Alexander in the long-running BBC crime drama, said the TV writer will be "missed by so many" in a statement shared on social media. "I am so sorry to hear the terribly sad news about the passing of Nigel McCrery," penned the 50-year-old. "In creating Silent Witness he brought something special to so many audiences around the world, and to those of us lucky enough to work on the show. Its success and longevity are a testament to Nigel and his brilliant idea in the first place - and of course many other shows too. "I was hugely fond of him personally. He was always kind and warm and spoke devotedly of his own family as an extremely proud parent and grandparent," continued the actress. "I am grateful that he remained connected to the show ongoingly and always wanted to know what plans there were for it. His great friend the forensic pathologist Helen Whitwell, who inspired the Sam Ryan character played by Amanda Burton, also sadly passed away recently. They will both live on through Silent Witness and we will do our best to make them proud." She added: "He will be missed by so many and my thoughts are with his family." Nigel's death was confirmed by his agent on social media. "It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of screenwriter, author and producer Nigel McCrery's passing," the statement read. "As the creative mind behind such hits as the much loved long-running BBC drama series Silent Witness and New Tricks, Nigel captivated and inspired audiences for years with his work. "His numerous contributions to the arts will always be remembered. Nigel had an incredible career and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this time." Nigel, who served with the Nottinghamshire Constabulary, created Silent Witness in 1996. The drama returned to screens in January with its 28th series, in which Emilia stars alongside David Caves. In 2003, Nigel launched New Tricks, which starred Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam and ran for 12 series. Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said she was "deeply saddened" by the news. "Nigel was behind some of UK television's most loved dramas, and his skill for creating brilliant stories with beautifully drawn characters shone for all to see," she said. "The enduring success of Silent Witness, still entertaining millions of viewers after almost 30 years, is a testament to his incredible talent and he will be sorely missed." In October 2024, Nigel told BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme that he had been given a terminal diagnosis, which he said was "quite a shock". "I mean people deal with their deaths in different ways, and I think it's all very, very individual to each of us," he said. "But I think for a little while you do go into shock – or I did, and I was in a bit of a state."
