Kerry Washinton on SNL.
Saturday Night Live took a jab at itself–with guest host, Kerry Washington in tow–after several SNL cast members and the media began asking why aren’t their any black women on the late night laugh fest which is now in its 39th season.
The opening skit had Washington playing First Lady Michelle Obama, then running out the room to change into Oprah.
According to Melissa Harris-Perry, Washington is the eighth African-American woman to hold down guest hosting duties.
Series creator Lorne Michaels says finding a black woman for the show is a priority.
From The LA Times:
Michaels said he is focused on finding an African American female cast member for the NBC series, but he did not specify how soon it would happen.
“It’s not like it’s not a priority for us,” Michaels said in an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday. “It will happen. I’m sure it will happen.”
Kenan Thompson, a SNL veteran who tells the LA Times he’s tired of putting on drag, puts the lack on black female performers.
BREAKING NEWS: Three Black people are on screen in an #SNL skit right now and none of the men are in a dress!
— Asani Isapoet (@Asani) November 3, 2013
However, there are plenty of black women who have graced comedic television–Debra Wilson and Wanda Sykes to name a few.
So chime in who in the minority would like to see on SNL? And let’s not just limit it to black women as one person on twitter pointed out:
RT @asteelpeach Let’s not make this a strictly Black women casting issues. They have a multiethnic casting issue.
— …guess (@mschantebaby) November 3, 2013
Bold & Unscripted 