SNL Korea Hits Streaming With The Smile Clinic

Seventeen million YouTube views just turned a viral comedy sketch into the very first international Saturday Night Live spin-off series. NBCUniversal Formats struck the deal with Korean streamer Coupang Play to turn the SNL Korea digital short into a ten-part sitcom. The show is called The Smile Clinic. It takes direct aim at the country's cosmetic dermatology business and local office politics. Five familiar cast members are returning to star in the new production. CP Entertainment is handling the physical production for the platform. This marks a massive milestone for the franchise outside the United States. US sketches like Wayne's World made it to the big screen, but this is a first for an international version. Meanwhile, NBCUniversal is expanding its global footprint across Asia with new distribution deals for Japanese game shows.