Bob Odenkirk says on Radio X he’d host SNL UK “anytime”
Bob Odenkirk has said he would jump at the chance to host the UK version of Saturday Night Live after praising the new sketch show during an appearance on Radio X.
The Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star joined The Chris Moyles Show this morning, where he reflected on his early days as a writer on the American version of Saturday Night Live and revealed he is already impressed by the UK adaptation.
Odenkirk, who wrote for the US show in the late 1980s and early 1990s, said he likes the fact the British version is carving out its own identity rather than trying to copy the original.
He told Chris Moyles: “They hired a bunch of clever people with authentic comic presence. They’re figuring themselves out, but it’s a great start.”
Asked whether he would consider hosting the show, Odenkirk did not hesitate.
He said: “Oh, of course. I would do it anytime, because I love sketch comedy. Always have.”
The interview also included a fascinating insight into how close Jesse Pinkman came to being written out of Breaking Bad in its first season.
Odenkirk explained that the character, played by Aaron Paul, was originally meant to be killed off at the end of season one.
However, the 2007–08 Writers Guild strike shortened the series from ten episodes to seven, giving the writers time to reconsider.
Odenkirk said: “They looked at it and thought, ‘What are we doing? We can’t get rid of this character.’”
That decision proved crucial, with Jesse Pinkman becoming one of the most popular and important characters in the series.
Odenkirk also shared how his own role as Saul Goodman was initially only planned for a handful of episodes but quickly grew into one of television’s most memorable characters.
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Listen to The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X weekdays from 6:30am – 10am and on Saturday from 8am – 11:00 across the UK and on YouTube.