Watch ‘SNL UK’ turn Oasis into Russian spies in Andy Burnham sketch
TV & Film

'SNL UK' Spoofs Oasis Reunion as Russian Spies Target British Politician

The Gallagher brothers were reimagined as secret agents in a hilarious late-night cold open.

By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read

Saturday Night Live UK tackled the massive public frenzy surrounding the Oasis reunion with a hilarious cold open parody that reimagined the Gallagher brothers as covert Russian secret agents. The comedy program used the opening segment of its September 26 broadcast to poke fun at British politics, legendary rock stars, and high-profile sports controversies all at once. The scene took place in a fictionalized Manchester political headquarters dubbed Number 10 North. Comedian George Fouracres played regional leader Andy Burnham, who was shown settling back into his office after returning from an international appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In the sketch, the leader had spent his trip speaking out against foreign cyber attacks and state-sponsored disinformation tactics.

Who played Liam and Noel Gallagher on SNL UK?

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The mock political meeting took a sudden turn when colleague Angela Rayner, portrayed by Celeste Dring, notified Burnham that a couple of local residents were standing by for an unscheduled visit. That cue brought Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher into the room, played by cast members Freddie Meredith and Jack Shep. The actors captured the brothers' recognizable swagger and distinct mannerisms as they strolled onto the set. The fictional Burnham immediately transformed into an excited super-fan, declaring his lifelong admiration for the britpop legends. Capitalizing on the warm welcome, the fake Liam and Noel gifted him complimentary passes to their upcoming comeback shows at Etihad Stadium, leaving the local leader thrilled.

Oasis performing live on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2004
Image caption, The band will play gigs in Manchester in June 2027, around the same time as the Worthy Farm event

What jokes were made in the SNL UK Oasis sketch?

However, the friendly exchange masked an absurd spy operation. The sketch revealed that the famous rockers were actually Russian undercover agents trying to steal Burnham's confidential personal details during their visit. The wild premise enabled the writers to weave pop culture excitement directly into a spy spoof. The sketch also took a swipe at Manchester City, referencing the football club's major legal headaches over 114 alleged Premier League rule violations. The full episode was hosted by internet star Amelia Dimoldenberg, who brought her signature brand of comedy to the late-night sketch broadcast. The hilarious segment quickly went viral among music fans and television viewers eager for any content related to the band's highly discussed return. By merging political satire with rock nostalgia, the show delivered one of its most talked-about cold open sketches of the season.

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People also ask

Who hosted the SNL UK episode featuring the Oasis sketch?
Amelia Dimoldenberg hosted the September 26 broadcast of SNL UK.
Who played Liam and Noel Gallagher in the SNL UK sketch?
Cast members Freddie Meredith and Jack Shep played Liam and Noel Gallagher respectively.
What was the plot of the SNL UK Oasis sketch?
The cold open depicted Liam and Noel Gallagher as undercover Russian spies attempting to steal personal information from politician Andy Burnham.