Leslie Jones Joins Regular Cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’
Saturday Night Live has promoted actress, writer and comedienne Leslie Jones, who has already appeared on a handful of Weekend Update bits, from writer to “featured player,” Deadline is reporting.
Leslie confirmed her promotion via Twitter Monday morning.
It’s official I’m a cast member!!! Get ready! Get ready!! @nbcsnl
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) October 20, 2014
Jones was one of 12 finalists competing for an open job on Saturday Night Live last fall – a job that ultimately went to Sasheer Zamata, according to New York Daily News. Even though she didn’t get the job, SNL producer Lorne Michaels was impressed enough with her to give her a spot in the writers’ room, according to this Inquisitr report.
Prior to getting her Saturday Night Live job, Jones had been working the stand-up comedy circuit; she had her own Showtime comedy special (Problem Child) and also had made appearances at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and the Aspen Comedy Festival, according to MSN.
Despite being a writer, and not an official cast member, on Saturday Night Live, Leslie has managed to appear in a couple of Weekend Update bits, showcasing her talents as a brash and unapologetic comedian. One particular Weekend Update bit, entitled “No. 1 Slave Draft Pick,” generated its share of controversy, according to Hitflix. Watch the video below, but be warned: it’s been called offensive by more than one source.
Jones responded to the controversy in typical Leslie Jones fashion, with a blistering series of tweets in which she told her critics that they can’t stand the idea of a strong black woman, and that she’s just going to “go even harder.”
Ok I wasn’t gonna say any thing because I know that dumb people know how to use the computer too, but now this is so ridiculous. — Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
If anybody should be offended is white folks cause it’s what they did. Y’all so busy trying to be self righteous you miss what the joke
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
really is. Very sad I have to defend myself to black people. Now I’m betting if Chris Rock or Dave Chappelje did that joke or — Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
or jay z or Kanye put in a rap they would be called brilliant. Cause they all do this type of material. Just cause it came from a strong
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
black woman who ain’t afraid to be real y’all mad. So here is my announcement black folks, you won’t stop me and Im gonna go even harder — Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 4, 2014
Leslie Jones’ first appearance as a Saturday Night Live featured player will be this Saturday, October 25, with host Jim Carrey.
[Image courtesy of: Hitflix]
