Overview

• On Monday’s episode of her talk show, Shepherd said the absence of Black women on SNL is an emergency that requires swift action.
• She dismissed claims that the show “can’t find anybody,” asserting there are many Black female comedians ready to join the cast.
• Shepherd pointed to past sketches where Kenan Thompson and Tracy Morgan portrayed Black women when the show lacked Black female performers.
• Ego Nwodim left the series in September after seven seasons and shared a grateful farewell to Lorne Michaels, the cast, writers, and crew.
• Season 51 began after multiple departures and five new hires, leaving no Black female representation onscreen even as some Black women work on the writing staff.