The latest SNL UK cold open has Andy Burnham nearly joining Oasis, but there’s something a bit off about the Gallagher brothers. In the sketch, George Fouracres plays the new UK Prime Minister, while Burnham returns to his beloved Manchester after delivering a speech to the UN where he took a swing at Russia. His good pal Angela Rayner, played by Celeste Dring, jokes that Burnham is tired of Russia trying to divide the British people — and that the UK can divide itself just fine.
Noel and Liam Gallagher, played by Jack Shep and new cast member Freddie Meredith, show up to offer Burnham the gig of a lifetime. Their guitarist has pulled out, and since Burnham is a guitar player himself, he can step in. “Ange, cancel the budget I’m going on tour,” he tells Rayner. The catch: the brothers ask for a lot of personal information from him.
The Spy Twist
Once Burnham enters the ticket price, Liam and Noel come across as Russian spies. The sketch plays with this premise without holding back, and it’s a delightfully absurd idea. “Oasis has always been Russian pop. All songs were made in a lab by Kremlin scientists. ‘Wonderwall’ is really ‘Wonderful Wall’ about the Berlin Wall,” is described as Russian spy Liam.
He wavers over whether to call a general election. Burnham japes about smashing it, declares he wishes to, and then says he could. Ultimately, he directs the “Russian Mancs” to “leave Britain and go back to being Oasis.”.
Who Plays Who
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Andy Burnham | George Fouracres |
| Angela Rayner | Celeste Dring |
| Noel Gallagher | Jack Shep |
| Liam Gallagher | Freddie Meredith |
The sketch portrays Burnham as a man devoted to both his city and his music, with Fouracres playing the part. It references his recent address to the UN, in which he spoke out against Russia. This background adds force to the gag about Russian spies.
This week’s episode of Sky’s SNL UK brought in a new host for its third installment of the second season: Amelia Dimoldenberg, who created the show Chicken Shop Date. Her hosting appearance follows in the footsteps of Jeff Goldblum and Jamie Demetriou, who previously held the position. Chicken Shop Date is currently heading into its final season, which begins next week.
The Cast Returns
Every member of SNL UK’s cast has come back for Season 2, from Hammed Animashaun to Paddy Young. The returning group includes Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Dring, Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Shep and Emma Sidi, while Meredith joins the show for his first appearance.
Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK production team and Broadway Video make SNL UK. Lorne Michaels works as an executive producer on it, while James Longman takes on the role of lead producer.
The Sequence of Events
- Andy Burnham returns to Manchester after a UN speech where he took on Russia.
- Noel and Liam Gallagher arrive to offer him a spot in the band.
- They ask for personal information from Burnham.
- Once he gives it, Liam and Noel reveal they are Russian spies.
- Liam explains that all Oasis songs were made in a lab by Kremlin scientists.
- Burnham flip-flops on calling a general election.
- He orders the “Russian Mancs” to leave Britain and go back to being Oasis.
This sketch opens the episode well. The joke about Oasis’ pricey tickets lands softly, but the scene builds it into something far larger. On its own, the idea that Liam is a spy works fine for laughs. It’s the Berlin Wall detail that pushes the whole thing into something truly memorable.
The cold open is available to watch on Deadline.
See the video the story is built around at Deadline.
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