NBCUniversal partnered on Wednesday with Youku, a streaming video platform in China, to produce the country’s version of “Saturday Night Live.” The sketch comedy show is known for Alec Baldwin’s lampoon of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Youku would make “SNL” its flagship entertainment program for its 2017 fall/winter schedule, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Chinese version would be the 10th that NBCUniversal has licensed over the past few years as international versions of its iconic program shown in different territories from France to the Middle East.
A Hit with Chinese Viewers
Michael Edelstein, president of NBCUniversal International Studios, said the studio is confident the Chinese version of “SNL” would be a hit with viewers in China. The original “SNL” in the U.S. is on its 43rd season. Its episode has an average of 11 million viewers with viewers in the U.S. up 29 percent compared to 2016, thanks to Alec Baldwin’s impersonation of Trump.
Edelstein said it is “SNL’s” best season since 1993-94. Besides the Trump impersonation, the impersonation by Melissa McCarthy of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is also popular among TV viewers.
Timeless Format
“Lorne Michaels has created a timeless format that taps into the prevailing cultural zeitgeist and instantaneously responds with whip-smart humor to national affairs and social trends,” he added, Variety reported.
However, given that China has very strict censorship laws, chances of a Chinese comedian impersonation President Xi Jinping are nil. The Chinese version of “SNL” would instead be a showcase of the best of Chinese comedy and culture.”
Youku is owned by e-commerce giant Alibaba which acquired the once-independent video-sharing website in 2016. The portal is now part of the Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group.