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February 11, 2012
 
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You want more cast members on SNL? You got 'em!

by Bob Sassone, posted Nov 13th 2008 1:39PM

Lorne MichaelsPeople have been complaining that they're aren't enough cast members on Saturday Night Live now. Amy Poehler left after having her baby, and they're aren't many blacks on the show either (Fred Armisen is playing President-Elect Barack Obama and Kenan Thompson usually plays the other parts, even the female ones). But now executive producer Lorne Michaels has taken the first step in correcting some of those problems.

NBC will announce today that they are adding two new performers to the regular cast. One of them, Abby Elliot, is the daughter of ex-SNL cast member/Get A Life star/David Letterman regular Chris Elliot. The other is comedienne Michaela Watkins, from The Groundlings. I'm not sure if people still use the word "comedienne," but I like it.

Now we have to see if the show's ratings surge continues. The election is now over and the big draws (Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and the debate sketches) will stop.

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the_boo

Yeah, we need more of those Blacks! Nice wording there chief. I don't find the term offensive, but it's use smacks of something my "not" racist grandmother would have said after I yelled at her a dozen times for saying "coloreds".

November 14 2008 at 11:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ned

Michaela Watkins definitely shows some great acting chops, based on YouTube videos I've seen floating around, so I think she's going to fit in well. Not sure how I feel about Abby Elliot though. I'm all for diversity, so the hiring of two blonde/brunette white ladies just isn't doing it for me.

Although, keep in mind that along with Casey Wilson, they're all just featured players. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll be taken on. On the other hand, with Kristen Wiig being the ONLY female performer, I don't think that's much of a possibility. But brunette overload...

November 14 2008 at 5:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Ned's comment
Jim

> But brunette overload...

There's no such thing!

November 14 2008 at 8:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Keith

Wow. Anybody know if this is the first time a former cast member's child has joined the SNL cast? Really underscores just how long this beast has been around.

November 14 2008 at 2:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim

I'm not sure who's been complaining about the size of the cast. As it is, there's always someone who is underused each week.

That said, if more people writing improves the quality of what makes it on air, I'm all for it. And I must admit, I'm curious to see how Chris Elliot's spawn fares!

November 13 2008 at 4:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jim's comment
Uncle Nothing

And Abby Elliot is the granddaughter of the great Bob Elliot of Bob & Ray.

Sorry. Just love me some Bob & Ray.

November 13 2008 at 5:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MERVE-THE-PERVE

I wish Lorne would let them do some improv, which is the biggest strength of this cast, instead of banning anyone who doesn't follow the script verbatim.

November 13 2008 at 3:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Grover

More diversity! the addition of more women is a start...

November 13 2008 at 2:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Grover's comment
Edward

Are they going to be on the full-time cast or "features"?

November 13 2008 at 2:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
r.r.r.

two more white woman comedians. i am sure they're funny and i don't mean to go there. but i would like to see at least one talented black/latina or dare i say asian woman to appear on SNL.

let all the "you're wrong" comments begin. :P




November 13 2008 at 2:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to r.r.r.'s comment
Pudge

You're RIGHT

November 13 2008 at 2:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RobynM

I'm in agreement here - my first thought was "How about someone obviously Asian?".

In 33 years, the closest they've gotten cast-wise have been Fred Armisen (part Japanese on his father's side) and Rob Schneider (Filipino on his mother's side).

November 14 2008 at 5:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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