’Saturday Night Live’s Famous Formula Has 1 Unfixable Problem

SNL UK has adapted Saturday Night Live’s established production style to fit a British studio and audience. Director Liz Clare said the team dropped the famous crane shot because it takes up too much space, while keeping the show’s rapid transitions and performances in the round through other camera equipment.

At the Edinburgh TV Festival in 2026, Clare described using a jib and camera pads to support the staging and resets. Cast member Emma Sidi said the performers initially thought the traditional closing credits felt “naff”, though the article text cuts off before explaining how that tradition was handled. The story illustrates how the UK version is balancing familiar features with practical and cultural differences.