Saturday Night Live UK made its television debut by taking aim at ex-prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the deeply unpopular war in Iran and the seemingly endless Beckham family drama.
The UK version of the hit U.S. sketch comedy show — produced by Sky Studios — made its debut on Saturday, March 21, featuring a British cast of comedians. The cast wasted no time in weighing in on some of the world’s biggest news stories.
“Coming up on Weekend Update: pedophila. But first, war!” Weekend Update, the UK version, host Ania Magliano said alongside her cohost, Paddy Young.
After a slew of Iran-related jokes, the pair turned their attention back to the disgraced royal, who was arrested on February 19, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his relationship with Epstein, who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Mountbatten-Windsor is accused of sharing confidential government information with the late pedophile while he served as a U.K. trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
“Renovations to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new home, Marsh Farm, have been taking place over the last month, including installation of Sky TV,” Mangliano said. “So, if you’re watching Andrew, hello! You’re not going to like this next bit. Also, I’m older than I look.”
She continued, “Andrew’s new residence, Marsh Farm, is of course named after the nearby marsh where his body will be found.”
“It was reported this week that the police investigation into Andrew is set to widen,” Young chimed in. “The big question now is, if Andrew is charged, found guilty and put in prison, will he be able to keep his mouth shut?”
The comedian then made a crude joke in reference to the ex-prince’s fictional cellmate’s penis.
Elsewhere during the show — hosted by SNL alum Tina Fey featuring a performance from Wet Leg — the cast took aim at President Donald Trump and his continued war in Iran. Since announcing the U.S. government, along with Israel, launched “Operation Epic Fury,” Trump, 79, has criticized NATO countries for their unwillingness to participate in the war.
“Remember the one where Ross and Rachel were on a break? I think perhaps that’s what we need,” cast member George Fouracres, who played Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the show’s cold open, said to an off-screen Trump via phone. “Not forever. Just until you’ve got all this war out of your system. Listen, we want different things. I know how badly you want to start World War III, and that’s great. You should absolutely do that. But we can’t be a part of it. You can, however, use the naval bases whenever you want.”
Elsewhere in the premiere’s Weekend Update segment, Young focused on the ongoing feud between David Beckham and Victoria Beckham and their estranged son, Brooklyn Beckham.
“Feuding father and son David and Brooklyn Beckham narrowly missed each other whilst at the same Beverly Hills hotel,” Young began. “The feud began when Victoria was, quote, ‘inappropriately’ close with her son at his wedding.”
Young then made a crude incest joke regarding Victoria and her son.
The new UK sketch comedy series, executive produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels, also stars Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep and Emma Sidi.
