{
  "id": 16636242,
  "title": "Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Nigerian Wicked’ Spoof on ‘SNL U.K’ Heats Up the Elphaba-Glinda Love Story Shippers Have Dreamed Of: Watch",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/cynthia-erivos-nigerian-wicked-spoof-on-snl-u-k-heats-up-the-elphaba",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-26T17:26:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/cynthia-erivo-nigerian-wicked-snl-uk-elphaba-glinda-watch-1236367958/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saturday Night Live U.K. took a daring leap into the realm of queer shipping this past Saturday (October 24th), delivering a spoof of the homegrown aesthetics of Nigeria’s thriving film industry, known as \"Nollywood.\" The episode, Nigerian Wicked, featured an unexpected twist on the classic Wicked storyline, exploring an intimate and daring scenario between Elphaba and Glinda, two prominent characters in the Wizard of Oz-inspired musical. In a bold move, co-star Cynthia Erivo, who hosted the show, assumed the role of Glinda, while fellow cast member Ayoade Bamgboye took on the persona of Elphaba. The pair engaged in playful banter, casting spells on their luggage and engaging in a steamy near-incestuous kiss. The sketch brought forth the dark reality of \"LagOz,\" a fictitious land within the Oz universe, where Elphaba lamented her virginity and Elphaba's growing discomfort with the situation. The two witches' transformation, featuring a makeover that included new hairstyles, manicures, makeup, and outfits, culminated in Glinda's declaration that the wizard could grant them anything they desired, only to reveal a financially struggling character played by Hammed Animashuan. The episode concluded with a series of humorous highlights, underscoring the absurdity of the situation, complete with cheap-looking action sequences and lingering moments of palpable tension.",
  "summary": "In this version, Glinda wants that bag and Elphaba hopes for a \"skinny BBL that defies gravity.\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Variety",
        "title": "Cynthia Erivo Plays Glinda in ‘Nigerian Wicked’ Sketch on ‘SNL U.K.’: ‘She Wants a BBL That Defies Gravity’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/cynthia-erivo-plays-glinda-in-nigerian-wicked-sketch-on-snl-u-k-she",
        "published": "2026-10-24T21:59:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The A.V. Club",
        "title": "SNL UK goes Nollywood as Cynthia Erivo parodies Nigerian Wicked",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/snl-uk-goes-nollywood-as-cynthia-erivo-parodies-nigerian-wicked",
        "published": "2026-10-25T13:25:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}