MONTREAL – Télé-Québec, the province’s educational and cultural public broadcaster, announced today it will debut a Québec version of Saturday Night Live with two live 90-minute specials on February 8 and March 22, 2014.
The two broadcasts will be hosted, respectively, by Québécois comedians Louis-José Houde and Stéphane Rousseau. Based on the famous SNL model and recorded before a live audience, SNL Québec will feature comedy vignettes, musical guests and a house band, a Weekend Update news bulletin, surprise cameo appearances and more. An ensemble cast of six comedians will complete the roster parodying current cultural and political events.
“We are very proud to be presenting this event programming,” said Télé-Québec’s programming and digital media director Dominique Chaloult in a release. “SNL Québec will most assuredly rally Quebecers around a dynamic viewing experience.”
The broadcasts are being produced by Zone3 and Fair-Play, which acquired the production rights to the popular U.S. show in 2011. Writers from Québec’s National Comedy School, including its director, Louise Richer, will work with seasoned television writers to create the show’s sketches. The show will feature original content and will also draw from scripts from SNL New York’s 38-year run.
