Ania Magliano isn’t afraid of a risky joke.
The 28-year-old British comedian — who has become a breakout star of “Saturday Night Live U.K.” — came out swinging in the premiere episode in March with an impressive takedown of former Prince Andrew, who had just been arrested and ordered to leave his royal home.
“Andrew’s new residence, Marsh Farm, is of course named after the nearby marsh where his body will be found,” Magliano, the co-host of “Weekend Update,” said with a smirk, evoking a low “Oooh” from the audience. In another episode, she compared Mark Zuckerberg to Hitler with a zinger that generated headlines: “It’s been revealed that Meta billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is building a bunker under his compound in California — and I hope he uses that bunker in exactly the same way Hitler did.”
For Magliano, provocation is part of the job, and she’s not afraid of the social media backlash. “I’m kind of detached from it. I try not to read the comments,” she says when we meet for coffee in White City, where “SNL U.K.” shoots. “That Mark Zuckerberg one … I was just like, ‘It’s a joke.’ And also, it’s Mark Zuckerberg; I think he’s fair game. He’s ruining a lot of people’s lives.”
And the risk has paid off: Magliano and “Weekend Update” co-host Paddy Young have become fan favorites. The success of the segment has led to a nearly sold-out U.K. stand-up tour, which Magliano will be taking to the U.S. in December for her first-ever shows in New York and L.A. Certainly in London, she’s becoming an undeniable presence, her face plastered all over the tube on posters advertising the tour.
