Cynthia Erivo gave audiences a very different kind of Wicked during her turn hosting SNL UK, stepping into the sparkling shoes of Glinda in a lovingly low-budget parody billed as Nigerian Wicked. The sketch flipped her usual association with the beloved musical on its head, and according to reports, it leaned fully into melodrama, homemade charm, and big comic energy.
Where the stage and screen versions of Wicked are known for elaborate sets, soaring orchestrations, and dazzling costumes, this version went in the opposite direction. Erivo appeared in a blonde wig and a pink velour tracksuit, a far cry from the flowing gowns usually linked to the Good Witch. That contrast was clearly part of the joke, and it gave the sketch an immediate visual punch.
A Lo-Fi Take on a Blockbuster Musical
Alongside Ayoade Bamgboye as Elphaba, Erivo performed in a version of the story that traded polish for personality. The summary describes the sketch as lo-fi and melodramatic, a style that suits sketch comedy perfectly. Instead of trying to recreate the spectacle of the Oscar-nominated musical, the performers embraced exaggerated emotion, simple staging, and playful overacting.
That approach also highlights why parodies like this work. Audiences already know the world of Oz, the friendship at the heart of Wicked, and the famous dynamic between Glinda and Elphaba. A sketch does not need a huge budget when viewers can fill in the gaps themselves, and the humour lands even harder when a performer of Erivo’s calibre commits completely to the silliness.
Why the Role Swap Matters
The casting is part of what makes the sketch so appealing. Erivo is widely associated with Elphaba, so seeing her play Glinda instead creates an instant surprise for fans. It is a knowing wink to the audience, one that rewards people who follow her career while remaining funny even for viewers who simply enjoy a well-executed parody.
Hosting a sketch show also gives performers a chance to show a different side of themselves. In a musical theatre role, every note and gesture is carefully shaped over months of rehearsal. In a live comedy sketch, timing, spontaneity, and willingness to look gloriously unserious matter just as much. Erivo’s appearance in a tracksuit rather than a ballgown signals that she was fully in on the joke.
What This Means for SNL UK
The sketch is also a reminder of how SNL UK is building its own identity. Parodying a global hit while giving it a distinctly Nigerian twist shows a confidence in local humour and storytelling styles. Rather than simply copying the format of the long-running American show, the UK edition appears keen to bring different cultural flavours to familiar material.
For viewers, moments like this are often the ones that travel furthest online. A short, shareable sketch with a famous guest, a recognisable musical, and an unexpected twist is exactly the kind of clip that gets replayed, quoted, and discussed long after the episode airs. Whether audiences discovered it live or through clips afterwards, Nigerian Wicked looks set to be one of the standout moments of Erivo’s hosting stint.