Amelia Dimoldenberg has joked about the real reason behind the end of her popular celebrity interview series Chicken Shop Date, turning the announcement into one of the highlights of her opening monologue on SNL U.K.
Dimoldenberg recently revealed that the long-running series would be coming to an end, and during her appearance as host of the British version of Saturday Night Live, she used the opportunity to poke fun at some of the celebrities who had appeared on the show over the years.
“I found out something devastating. Apparently, these celebrities weren’t coming on to date me,” Dimoldenberg joked. “They were coming on to promote their work!”
The presenter continued the gag by recalling her conversation with actor Andrew Garfield, saying she had misunderstood one of his comments about an upcoming film.
“It makes so much more sense now. Andrew Garfield had a film out! When he kept saying, ‘I’m looking forward to the big release,’ I thought that was a sex thing,” she said.
Dimoldenberg also used the monologue to take a playful swipe at Ed Sheeran, who has recently been at the centre of controversy surrounding his decision to remove Macklemore from his tour following the rapper’s political comments in support of Palestine.
Reflecting on the famous personalities she has interviewed, Dimoldenberg joked that she had spoken with stars including Idris Elba, Cher and even Elmo.
“I’m incredibly privileged to have done so many interviews with people like Idris Elba, Cher, and even a world famous red-headed puppet with a hand up his arse telling him what to say,” she said, before an image of Elmo appeared.
“No, the other one!” she added as Sheeran’s face appeared on screen.
Beyond the celebrity jokes, Dimoldenberg used the monologue to reflect on her journey from her early days at a youth centre in London to becoming a recognised entertainment personality.
She said the experience helped her embrace being awkward rather than trying to hide it, turning what could have been viewed as an insecurity into part of her public persona.
“I am proof that you don’t have to stop being awkward to be successful … I am proof that you should always be yourself,” she said.
She encouraged viewers to carry that same authenticity into different settings, referencing her work on Chicken Shop Date, the Oscars red carpet and upcoming projects including The Devil Wears Prada 2 and a romantic comedy.
Dimoldenberg concluded the monologue with another joke referencing the concept behind her long-running series.
“Just like the chickens I love to eat,” she said, “you don’t have to have range.”
The comedian’s appearance comes as she prepares to move beyond the format that helped make her a familiar face in celebrity interviews. Chicken Shop Date became known for its deliberately awkward conversations, deadpan humour and unusual approach to interviewing major stars, turning casual dates over fast food into viral entertainment moments.
