Saturday Night Live is getting a shade darker.
After making headlines a couple of months ago for not having any black women on the show, creator Lorne Michaels and the SNL brass held open auditions in Los Angeles in search of a new black woman to add to the cast.
The Hollywood Reporter writes:
The first showcase audition was held at the Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles on Dec. 1 at 10 p.m., where actresses like Misty Monroe, a Groundlings Sunday Company alum, Amber Ruffin, Simone Shepherd, Tiffany Haddish, Nicole Byer and Bresha Webb were among a dozen hopefuls vying for the coveted spot, as was Darmirra Brunson, the comedian Pharoah had recently suggested should join the cast “because she’s black, first of all, and she’s really talented.”
But while the auditions appear to be a good thing, one of the actresses there claim it was only a publicity stunt.
TMZ reports:
Tiffany Haddish tells TMZ the Dec. 2 talent search at The Groundlings Theatre in L.A. felt like it was a dog and pony show, partially because executive producer Lorne Michaels wasn’t there — and he’s known to attend most auditions.
But just because she doesn’t believe the auditions are legit, doesn’t mean SNL won’t hire a black actress for next season.
Tiffany thinks “they already know who they want … they’re just wasting all these black women’s time and gas money.”
Either way, we’re looking forward to seeing some new SNL castmembers.
