Update: "SNL" Hires Two Black Female Writers - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 10-15-2013, 10:46 PM

Kenan Thompson Blames "SNL's" Diversity Issue on Lack of Talented Black Comediennes
Oct 14, 2013
by Sadie Gennis

When "Saturday Night Live" announced this season's six new cast members, many were shocked to see that the sketch comedy show would be devoid of a black female cast member for the sixth year in a row.

In a world where we have a black First Lady and pop culture is defined by "Scandal", Rihanna, Oprah, Nicki Minaj and Beyonce, this is beyond absurd. It's downright embarrassing. And after years of portraying seemingly every black female celebrity from Mo'Nique, Maya Angelou and Jennifer Hudson, Kenan Thompson has finally thrown in the cross-dressing towel.

When asked what the show would do now when confronted with potential black female characters or celebrity spoofs, Thompson told TVGuide.com, "I don't know. We just haven't done them. That's what I'm saying. Maybe Jay [Pharaoh] will do it or something, but even he doesn't really want to do it."

Instead of blaming showrunner Lorne Michaels or the series, which currently only employs three actors of color out of 16 cast members (Thompson, Pharaoh and the Iranian Nasim Pedrad), Thompson blames the lack of quality black female comedians. "It's just a tough part of the business," Thompson says. "Like in auditions, they just never find ones that are ready."

While Thompson's refusal to help "SNL" continue to ignore its own diversity issues is commendable, blaming the problem on an absence of talented black females only perpetuates the problem. There are countless brilliant black comediennes working right now, many of whom would likely be thrilled to take part in such an iconic series (even if the quality has slipped over the decades).

In the 38 years "SNL" has been on the air, the series has only had four black female cast members: Yvonne Hudson (1980-81), Danitra Vance (1985-86), Ellen Cleghorne (1991-95) and Maya Rudolph (2000-2007).

Of the four, only three were repertory players (Hudson was only a featured player before being fired midseason). This means, there were large gaps in "SNL's" history when there were no black women on the show at all.

Pharoah has recently spoken out about the series' diversity problem, telling theGrio, "They need to pay attention" and add a black woman to the cast. Pharoah even suggested his pick, Darmirra Brunson, who's currently on "Tyler Perry's Love They Neighbor".

"Why do I think she should be on the show? Because she's black first of all, and she's really talented. She's amazing. She needs to be on SNL. I said it. And I believe they need to follow up with it like they said they were going to do last year."

As to how the six new (all white) cast members are faring so far this season, Thompson says they're doing just fine. "They're all contributing in different ways I think. They've been doing great job so far. They're all very, very smart and talented, so that's how it is. That's the kind of people I guess that get the job," Thompson says.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/SNL-Dive...n-1072056.aspx

loaferman · 10-16-2013, 01:47 PM

While it is a dumb move in some respects given the characters they could portray. I do take issue with the idea of casting via quota. 3 out of 16 is proportional to the population numbers. SNL is not funny. Here's an idea, hire funny people, they should not feel like "oh we have to hire a ______ male or a ____ female. Cast funny people and get new writers. All races. Here's an idea go by qualifications.

TMC · 10-16-2013, 03:26 PM

http://defamer.gawker.com/snl-tries-...in-1446422535/

It's funny that Washington's hosting would be announce one day after Kenan Thompson's controversial comments on black comediennes. PLUS: Why Washington hosting "SNL" matters.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#uQkOuTOkxD38zoOG.99

TMC · 10-16-2013, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loaferman

While it is a dumb move in some respects given the characters they could portray. I do take issue with the idea of casting via quota. 3 out of 16 is proportional to the population numbers. SNL is not funny. Here's an idea, hire funny people, they should not feel like "oh we have to hire a ______ male or a ____ female. Cast funny people and get new writers. All races. Here's an idea go by qualifications.

Dear Kenan Thompson: Here are black women who'd be perfect for "SNL"

The thing is you have to dig deeper to find them.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#uQkOuTOkxD38zoOG.99

loaferman · 10-17-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

http://defamer.gawker.com/snl-tries-...in-1446422535/

It's funny that Washington's hosting would be announce one day after Kenan Thompson's controversial comments on black comediennes. PLUS: Why Washington hosting "SNL" matters.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#uQkOuTOkxD38zoOG.99

I doubt her schedule could be that flexible. I can not imagine a network show counting on booking celebrities on a few days notice.

TMC · 10-17-2013, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

http://defamer.gawker.com/snl-tries-...in-1446422535/

It's funny that Washington's hosting would be announce one day after Kenan Thompson's controversial comments on black comediennes. PLUS: Why Washington hosting "SNL" matters.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#uQkOuTOkxD38zoOG.99

http://www.buzzfeed.com/tracyclayton...o-host-snl-eve

Seven of the nine black women who have hosted "Saturday Night Live" hosted in the past decade. PLUS: Could Kenan Thompson be right?, and here are more funny black women, and even more.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#lb2qEJP62mg3rR1a.99

MacLeaper · 10-17-2013, 06:56 PM

Considering the amount of parodies and comedic impressions Saturday Night Live does of famous people, it probably makes sense to have talented comedic actors and actresses from as many backgrounds and races as possible.
However, at the same time, I also get tired of something getting denunciated as "racist" if there isn't a certain amount of characters of such and such race on the show. I don't really believe in affirmative action. I prefer hiring by whomever is the most talented- thus, an open casting call for men and women of all races and backgrounds. Now, I understand the point of having a specific casting call for a specific role that is necessarily intended to be a certain gender and certain race and certain age, etc.
But for SNL, it seems like open casting calls for all people would usually be the best route. Go with the most talented and let the chips fall where they fall. It really doesn't matter to me what race the people are.

UMFaninMD · 10-17-2013, 08:45 PM

Well, there's Debra Wilson, who was a force to be reckoned with on MAD TV but she seems to have slipped under the radar.

They probably should consider hiring more people of color, especially when it comes to their celebrity impersonations, but they need to consider the writing as well. The commercial spoofs and parodies can be hilarious but the original sketches for a while have been pretty flat and not that funny.

robyrob · 10-18-2013, 08:26 PM

well that tears it - Keenan is just going to have to get a sex change.

TMC · 10-19-2013, 05:10 PM

http://www.salon.com/2013/10/18/snls...ack_women_out/

The women on the cast took over the show during Tina Fey's time, yet "Saturday Night Live" was still left with black men in drag playing black women. PLUS: Why are there so few black women in improv groups?
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#VyVOsg8S87BOstGo.99

king of comedy · 10-20-2013, 07:52 AM

SNL needs to get with the times.

TMC · 10-24-2013, 03:31 PM

http://www.salon.com/2013/10/23/snl_...different_now/

"You have a white dude from Canada pushing 70, how much is he going to be in tune with what a person like me or yourself wants to do?" says Minor, a black comedian who was part of the cast in 2000 and 2001.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#EuMjTSJyXMY5iOx3.99

MacLeaper · 10-24-2013, 08:36 PM

What does being white and from Canada and close to the age of 70 have to do with understanding people of different backgrounds or even people of the same background for that matter? It just takes some communication and peace, love and understanding.

God brings that about for numerous people of multiple backgrounds in the church as we are one in Christ.

king of comedy · 10-25-2013, 06:19 AM

Good answer.

MacLeaper · 10-25-2013, 02:25 PM

Thanks.

10-15-2013, 10:46 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,140	Update: "SNL" Hires Two Black Female Writers *Kenan Thompson Blames "SNL's" Diversity Issue on Lack of Talented Black Comediennes* Oct 14, 2013 by Sadie Gennis When "Saturday Night Live" announced this season's six new cast members, many were shocked to see that the sketch comedy show would be devoid of a black female cast member for the sixth year in a row. In a world where we have a black First Lady and pop culture is defined by "Scandal", Rihanna, Oprah, Nicki Minaj and Beyonce, this is beyond absurd. It's downright embarrassing. And after years of portraying seemingly every black female celebrity from Mo'Nique, Maya Angelou and Jennifer Hudson, Kenan Thompson has finally thrown in the cross-dressing towel. When asked what the show would do now when confronted with potential black female characters or celebrity spoofs, Thompson told TVGuide.com, "I don't know. We just haven't done them. That's what I'm saying. Maybe Jay [Pharaoh] will do it or something, but even he doesn't really want to do it." Instead of blaming showrunner Lorne Michaels or the series, which currently only employs three actors of color out of 16 cast members (Thompson, Pharaoh and the Iranian Nasim Pedrad), Thompson blames the lack of quality black female comedians. "It's just a tough part of the business," Thompson says. "Like in auditions, they just never find ones that are ready." While Thompson's refusal to help "SNL" continue to ignore its own diversity issues is commendable, blaming the problem on an absence of talented black females only perpetuates the problem. There are countless brilliant black comediennes working right now, many of whom would likely be thrilled to take part in such an iconic series (even if the quality has slipped over the decades). In the 38 years "SNL" has been on the air, the series has only had four black female cast members: Yvonne Hudson (1980-81), Danitra Vance (1985-86), Ellen Cleghorne (1991-95) and Maya Rudolph (2000-2007). Of the four, only three were repertory players (Hudson was only a featured player before being fired midseason). This means, there were large gaps in "SNL's" history when there were no black women on the show at all. Pharoah has recently spoken out about the series' diversity problem, telling theGrio, "They need to pay attention" and add a black woman to the cast. Pharoah even suggested his pick, Darmirra Brunson, who's currently on "Tyler Perry's Love They Neighbor". "Why do I think she should be on the show? Because she's black first of all, and she's really talented. She's amazing. She needs to be on SNL. I said it. And I believe they need to follow up with it like they said they were going to do last year." As to how the six new (all white) cast members are faring so far this season, Thompson says they're doing just fine. "They're all contributing in different ways I think. They've been doing great job so far. They're all very, very smart and talented, so that's how it is. That's the kind of people I guess that get the job," Thompson says. http://www.tvguide.com/News/SNL-Dive...n-1072056.aspx
	Last edited by JamesG; 01-09-2014 at 02:08 AM.

10-16-2013, 01:47 PM	#2
loaferman Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 23, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 642	While it is a dumb move in some respects given the characters they could portray. I do take issue with the idea of casting via quota. 3 out of 16 is proportional to the population numbers. SNL is not funny. Here's an idea, hire funny people, they should not feel like "oh we have to hire a ______ male or a ____ female. Cast funny people and get new writers. All races. Here's an idea go by qualifications.
	__________________ “It was ‘Will and Grace,’ it was the social media. Literally. That’s what changed peoples’ attitudes. That’s why I was so certain that the vast majority of people would embrace and rapidly embrace” gay marriage, Biden said. “Think behind of all that, I bet you 85 percent of those changes, whether it’s in Hollywood or social media are a consequence of Jewish leaders in the industry. The influence is immense, the influence is immense." -Vice President Joe Biden May 2013

10-16-2013, 03:26 PM	#3
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,548	Kerry Washington hosting "SNL": Is Lorne Michaels trying to duck the diversity contro http://defamer.gawker.com/snl-tries-...in-1446422535/ It's funny that Washington's hosting would be announce one day after Kenan Thompson's controversial comments on black comediennes. PLUS: Why Washington hosting "SNL" matters. Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#uQkOuTOkxD38zoOG.99

10-17-2013, 06:56 PM	#7
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	Considering the amount of parodies and comedic impressions Saturday Night Live does of famous people, it probably makes sense to have talented comedic actors and actresses from as many backgrounds and races as possible. However, at the same time, I also get tired of something getting denunciated as "racist" if there isn't a certain amount of characters of such and such race on the show. I don't really believe in affirmative action. I prefer hiring by whomever is the most talented- thus, an open casting call for men and women of all races and backgrounds. Now, I understand the point of having a specific casting call for a specific role that is necessarily intended to be a certain gender and certain race and certain age, etc. But for SNL, it seems like open casting calls for all people would usually be the best route. Go with the most talented and let the chips fall where they fall. It really doesn't matter to me what race the people are.
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

10-18-2013, 08:26 PM	#9
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,198	well that tears it - Keenan is just going to have to get a sex change.
	__________________ * firefox * AdAware * HiJackThis * CoolWebShredder * Spybot * SpywareBlaster * Spyware Terminator * * GeeksToGo * AntiVir * Avast antivirus * Housecall Online * Sysinternals Security Utilities * * ZoneAlarm * Agnitum-firewall * Comodo Firewall * AVG Anti-Rootkit * RootkitRevealer * ParasiteCheck * * Annoyances * FreeCodecs * Mikes-Hosts-File * GRC.com * MSAntispyware * DVD's * TradeList * myspace *

10-17-2013, 08:45 PM	#8
UMFaninMD I love a mystery Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,287	Well, there's Debra Wilson, who was a force to be reckoned with on MAD TV but she seems to have slipped under the radar. They probably should consider hiring more people of color, especially when it comes to their celebrity impersonations, but they need to consider the writing as well. The commercial spoofs and parodies can be hilarious but the original sketches for a while have been pretty flat and not that funny.

10-19-2013, 05:10 PM	#10
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,548	Did "SNL's" "gender equality movement" leave out black women? http://www.salon.com/2013/10/18/snls...ack_women_out/ The women on the cast took over the show during Tina Fey's time, yet "Saturday Night Live" was still left with black men in drag playing black women. PLUS: Why are there so few black women in improv groups? Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#VyVOsg8S87BOstGo.99

10-20-2013, 07:52 AM	#11
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	SNL needs to get with the times.

10-24-2013, 03:31 PM	#12
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,548	"SNL" alum Jerry Minor has an explanation for the show's diversity problem http://www.salon.com/2013/10/23/snl_...different_now/ "You have a white dude from Canada pushing 70, how much is he going to be in tune with what a person like me or yourself wants to do?" says Minor, a black comedian who was part of the cast in 2000 and 2001. Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#EuMjTSJyXMY5iOx3.99

10-24-2013, 08:36 PM	#13
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	What does being white and from Canada and close to the age of 70 have to do with understanding people of different backgrounds or even people of the same background for that matter? It just takes some communication and peace, love and understanding. God brings that about for numerous people of multiple backgrounds in the church as we are one in Christ.
	Last edited by MacLeaper; 10-25-2013 at 02:24 PM.

10-25-2013, 06:19 AM	#14
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	Good answer.

10-25-2013, 02:25 PM	#15
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	Thanks.