Sherri Shepherd is unhappy with the lack of representation in the cast of Saturday Night Live following the departure of the show’s lone Black female performer Ego Nwodim.
Sherri Shepherd has called for Saturday Night Live to cast another Black woman.
The 58-year-old star criticised the lack of diversity in the season 51 premiere of the long-running sketch comedy series at the weekend following the departure of Ego Nwodim and urged show bosses to address the matter.
Speaking on her talk show Sherri, she said: “When I watched Saturday Night Live this weekend, I did notice something was missing: Ego Nwodim left the show.
“She was their only Black female cast member, so now there are no Black women on SNL. So what do I say to SNL? Y’all gotta hurry up and you gotta find somebody, this is a break glass in case of an emergency. It is an emergency.”
Sherri explained that representation is crucial on a show like Saturday Night Live, which is centred on parodying others.
The actress and comedian recalled: “When I co-hosted The View, there was no Black woman on the show to play me.
“There was no Black woman to even play Whoopi (Goldberg) – Kenan Thompson would play Whoopi at the table when they spoofed us! Then there was no Black woman to play me, so I was never sitting at the table.”
Referring to a 2009 SNL sketch, Shepherd said: “Then they had the nerve, when Tracy Morgan guest hosted, Tracy Morgan played me on the daggone show.
“They had Tracy Morgan in that old, tired Shake-N-Go wig looking like he sits third row at church and serves the dinner after service. He’s even still got a five o’clock shadow!”
Sherri accepts that Saturday Night Live is trying to find its “bearings” after Nwodim’s exit but reiterated the importance of hiring another Black woman on the NBC show.
The Sex Lives of College Girls star said: “What I don’t like hearing is, ‘We can’t find anybody, we can’t find anybody.’ There are lots of talented Black female comics that you can cast on SNL.
“If you go to a comedy club or improv place, they are out there waiting for this opportunity, getting ready for this very opportunity.”
She added: “SNL, do not disappoint us. You are charged!”
Sherri Shepherd demands more diversity on Saturday Night Live
