When Saturday Night Live crossed the pond, the British team behind SNL UK thought they knew better. Cue cards? In this day and age? Surely an autocue would be more efficient. But as they soon discovered, some traditions are timeless for a reason.
Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival 2026, SNL UK producers Phil Edgar-Jones, James Longman, and Liz Clare revealed why they ultimately embraced the very system they initially rejected—with a little help from Wally Feresten, the legendary head cue-card holder on the American show for over 35 years.
The Surprising Necessity of Cue Cards
At first glance, cue cards seem like a relic. But Saturday Night Live isn't your typical scripted comedy. Sketches are rewritten constantly, sometimes even during commercial breaks. As Longman put it, "They know when they look at the cue card, what's on there is the final honest version of the show."
This flexibility is crucial for a show built on topical humor. An autocue might seem like a modern solution, but it would force performers to look directly at the camera, breaking the illusion of conversation. Cue cards, on the other hand, can be positioned to maintain eye lines, making sketches feel like genuine dialogue rather than a newsreader reciting lines.
Learning the 'Dark Art'
Once the British team realized cue cards were non-negotiable, they had to master the craft. They recruited autocue operators and trained them in this "dark art," as Clare described it. Feresten taught them the speed and clarity required, and they even had to use non-toxic pens because operators spend hours writing cards. Different ink colors help cast members spot their lines at a glance.
The result? SNL UK has fully adapted, proving that some traditions are worth keeping. As the show continues to evolve, cue cards remain a vital part of its DNA—a quirky, old-school solution that keeps the comedy fresh and live.
For more on how classic shows adapt, check out our piece on BritBox's Friday Night Dinner. And if you're curious about other behind-the-scenes magic, our weekend thriller reads might just tide you over.
