Was it a crime against comedy – as the original Saturday Night Live often is nowadays? No – and by any reasonable measure it was off to a flying start.

Most of the flaws in the premiere were, in fact, entirely part of the SNL DNA. .... There were no disasters, though, which can’t always be said for episodes of traditional-flavor Saturday Night Live. .... For me, the cast was good enough that I’ll watch the next few weeks, if only to justify facile jokes about how it USED to be funny.

Promising debut of the British spinoff. .... As a debut, the episode could be hit and miss. But then, which sketch show isn’t? As the immensely likable cast members settle and share the spotlight more evenly, it may boil down to the weekly host to get that essential traction online.

The sketches are darker and more surreal than its U.S. counterpart, the comedy much more deadpan. Even if all the sketch itself doesn’t work (hey, they kept that feature too) there’s enough one-liners to keep you going and try out the next. .... The weakest part of “SNL U.K.” is, well, the “Saturday Night Live” part. .... At times, watching this feels like visiting a branch of Five Guys. It’s fine, but it’s not like eating in America.

As this first live sketch cut to an ad break, the typical British cynicism that had earmarked SNL UK as an all-time televisual disaster had shifted into a mood of, “Wait... is this actually good?” .... The second half of the 75-minute show suffered in comparison. .... Although a 50-year run like Lorne Michaels’ flagship operation might be too optimistic, it may well outlive what the vast majority expected.

It could have been a lot, lot worse. And it could have been a lot better. But it is likely to become so as the team and the audience settle in over the coming weeks and we might see some recurring characters and start to build a rhythm and rapport with the show.

My unsolicited advice to “SNL UK,” which streams stateside on Peacock? Be yourself. Don’t be too slavish to your American counterpart, which currently feels a little flabby and rudderless. That freedom that allows you to drop F-bombs? Use it to create some truly dangerous comedy.