SNL U.K. just delivered one of the most unexpectedly delightful sketches of the year. Host Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked films, flipped roles to play a purse-obsessed Glinda in a fake Nollywood-style trailer called“Nigerian Wicked.”The sketch aired October 24 and is already racking up views online.
The premise follows Glinda and Elphaba, played by cast member Ayoade Bamgboye in green body paint, as they travel to“LagOz”to meet the wizard. What they find is a creepy, broke wizard in a knockoff“NoLex”watch, plus shaky magic beams, a random slap, and the instantly quotable line“But I’m a virgin.”The whole sketch nails that low-budget Nollywood aesthetic with obvious affection.
The moment fans can’t stop talking about, though, is the sketch’s full embrace of the long-rumored Glinda and Elphaba romance. Near-kiss moments and sexy saxophone cues gave shippers exactly what they’ve been asking for. With Erivo’s Wicked films on the horizon, the timing couldn’t be better. Would you watch a full-length“Nigerian Wicked”? Let us know in the comments.
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Local Lawton
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