Saturday Night Live has received a Special Award in the annual Bafta honours to commemorate the show’s influence on television comedy.
The show, broadcast on NBC, has served as a launchpad for the careers of Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock and Will Ferrell among others.
The Special Award, which has previously been given to Downton Abbey, Monty Python and Harry Potter, was presented in New York on Thursday.
A big hello and congratulations to @nbcsnl from @jimmyfallon on receiving their BAFTA Special Award tonight 🤩🏆 pic.twitter.com/DW5UDBdZ3R
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) October 5, 2018
Sir Patrick Stewart, who gave the award to the show’s creator Lorne Michaels, said: “It is my absolute pleasure to present this Special Award, celebrating the exceptional achievements of Saturday Night Live.
“A series that has discovered, nurtured and celebrated generations of comedy talent. So many British shows have been inspired by you.”
Among those congratulating SNL was Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe.
He said: “The cast, writers and crew of Saturday Night Live make it look very easy, but there is an undercurrent of people who mount an entire show from nothing in a week, and that really has an exciting effect when you are watching.”