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SNL Finally Adds Black Female Cast Member
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 6, 2014
Modified Jan 6, 2014
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 6, 2014
Modified Jan 6, 2014
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In December word got out that Saturday Night Live had been secretly auditioning black female comedians, in response to the criticisms about the lack of diversity in the new cast. (Earlier this season SNL skewered its own lack of diversity by airing a sketch where host Kerry Washington was forced to play Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Beyonce.) After narrowing down candidates, Lorne & Co. have finally picked the new addition—Deadline reports it's UCB alum Sasheer Zamata, who will make her debut on January 18th (with Drake as host and musical guest).
This makes Zamata the first black female on the show since Maya Rudolph departed five years ago. You can follow her on Twitter here.
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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