Leslie Jones Says SNL Writers Typecast Her as Angry Character
9 reported
Leslie Jones, a former cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” told “The Sam Sanders Show” that she found it “frustrating” that the show’s writers often typecast her as an angry and aggressive character. Jones said she was frequently written as “the girl that was angry and beating up people” or “in love with a white boy.” She explained that she did not initially object because she wanted to be on the show, but the pattern continued despite her requests for change. Jones recalled writers telling her the typecasting was “successful” and would help her build a career, but she expressed a desire to play a wider range of roles. When asked if “SNL” was a healthy place for a Black comic, Jones described it as “the machine that it is.” Jones joined “SNL” during its 39th season at age 47, becoming the oldest new recruit in the show’s history, and remained for five seasons until 2019, earning two Emmy nominations.
What’s reported
Leslie Jones told “The Sam Sanders Show” that “SNL” writers often typecast her as angry and aggressive.
Jones said she was frequently written as “the girl that was angry and beating up people” or “in love with a white boy.”
She did not initially object because she “wanted to be on the show.”
Jones said the typecasting continued despite her objections.
Writers told her the typecasting was “successful” and would help her build a career.
Jones said she wanted to play a wider range of roles, stating, “I want to be Leslie. I want to do everything.”
When asked if “SNL” was a healthy place for a Black comic, Jones replied, “I think that it is the machine that it is.”
Jones joined “SNL” during its 39th season at age 47, becoming the oldest new recruit in the show’s history.
She was on “SNL” for five seasons until 2019 and earned two Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.
Key figures
Leslie Jones, former “SNL” cast member
Sam Sanders, host of “The Sam Sanders Show”
Sources: Variety
