Sky has recently appointed Lisa Clark to take on the role of commissioning executive for the highly anticipated “Saturday Night Live U.K.” The show will be developed in collaboration with Sky’s unscripted entertainment division, led by Phil Edgar-Jones, specifically tailored for British audiences.
Clark boasts an extensive background in British comedy and entertainment programming, with over twenty years of experience under her belt. Her impressive resume includes executive producing credits for BAFTA-nominated shows such as “Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing,” “Top Gear,” and “Daisy May & Charlie Cooper’s NightWatch.” She has also been involved in live broadcasts of prestigious events like the BAFTA TV Awards and Comic Relief. Clark’s producer credits span a variety of beloved shows, including “My Dad Wrote A Porno,” “Shooting Stars,” “League of Gentlemen Live Again,” and “Vic & Bob’s Big Night Out.” Prior to joining Sky, she held senior positions at BBC Entertainment and LWT.
The upcoming Sky original series, “Saturday Night Live U.K.,” will be available on both Sky and the streaming service Now. This marks the first British adaptation of the iconic NBC franchise that has left a lasting impact on comedy and pop culture for the past five decades. The U.K. version will maintain the original show’s live, fast-paced format, featuring a new ensemble of comedy performers, rotating guest hosts, and musical acts. Further details regarding casting, hosts, musical guests, and the premiere date will be disclosed in due course.
Among the previously announced key creatives are James Longman as lead producer, Liz Clare as director, and Daran Jonno Johnson as head writer. Phil Edgar-Jones, the executive director of unscripted originals at Sky, expressed his excitement about having Lisa Clark on board, praising her as a true TV legend with an exceptional track record of collaborating with top comedy talent in the industry. Clark, in turn, expressed her enthusiasm for joining the stellar team, emphasizing her love for the adrenaline rush of live television and the unparalleled platform that “SNL” provides for live comedy.
Production for “SNL U.K.” is a collaborative effort between Universal Television Alternative Studio’s U.K. production team and Broadway Video, with UTAS U.K. Productions overseen by managing director Helen Kruger Bratt. Shanna Baynard serves as executive in charge of production, while Andy Charles Smith acts as lead producer for UTAS U.K. Productions alongside Sam Salter, production executive. The series was commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, with Lisa Clark serving as the commissioning executive at Sky, under the leadership of Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and chief content officer for Sky. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new venture into the world of British comedy and entertainment.
