Sherri Shepherd is sounding the alarm, and it’s one that demands our attention: Saturday Night Live (SNL) currently has no Black women in its cast, and she’s calling it an emergency. Following Ego Nwodim’s departure after seven seasons, Shepherd is urging the iconic late-night sketch comedy show to act swiftly and prioritize diversity in its hiring process. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is SNL truly committed to representation, or is this just another missed opportunity? Let’s dive in.
On Monday’s episode of her daytime talk show, Sherri, the actress and comedian emphasized the critical need for representation on a platform as influential as SNL. ‘It’s so important to have representation on that show,’ Shepherd stated, highlighting the void left by Nwodim’s exit. ‘When I watched Saturday Night Live this weekend, I noticed something was missing. Ego Nwodim, their only Black female cast member, is gone. So, what do I say to SNL? Y’all need to act fast—this is a break-the-glass moment. It’s an emergency.’
Nwodim’s departure, announced last month, marked the end of an era. In her statement, she expressed gratitude to SNL’s Lorne Michaels, her castmates, writers, and crew, reflecting on the invaluable lessons and laughter she gained during her time on the show. But her exit leaves SNL without a Black woman in the cast for the first time since 2014—a stark reality that Shepherd refuses to ignore.
And this is the part most people miss: Shepherd’s call for representation isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the very essence of a show that thrives on parodying others. She recalled her own experiences co-hosting The View from 2007 to 2014, where the lack of Black female cast members meant she was often excluded from sketches. ‘There was no Black woman to play me or even Whoopi [Goldberg],’ she noted. ‘Kenan Thompson would play Whoopi, and I was never at the table.’ She even joked about the time Tracy Morgan portrayed her on SNL, complete with a ‘tired Shake-N-Go wig’ that left her both amused and frustrated.
While Shepherd acknowledges that SNL is likely still adjusting to Nwodim’s sudden departure ahead of season 51, she’s not buying the ‘we can’t find anybody’ excuse. ‘There are so many talented Black female comedians out there,’ she asserted. ‘They’re in comedy clubs, improv theaters—waiting for this chance, ready for this moment.’ She even took the opportunity to shout out a few ‘hysterical’ comedians who’ve appeared on her show, including Tacarra Williams, B-Phlat, Yamaneika Saunders, and her comedy producer Robin Montague.
But here’s the bold question: Is SNL truly committed to diversity, or is this a recurring pattern? Shepherd’s challenge to the show is clear: ‘SNL, do not disappoint us. You are charged.’ With five new cast members hired for season 51—Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska—the absence of a Black woman stands out like a sore thumb. Will SNL rise to the occasion, or will this be another missed opportunity for meaningful representation?
As we await SNL’s next move, Shepherd’s call to action leaves us with a thought-provoking question: In a show that mirrors society, how can we accept anything less than a cast that reflects it? Let’s keep the conversation going—what do you think? Is Shepherd’s urgency justified, or is this much ado about nothing? Sound off in the comments!
