Leslie Jones Felt Typecast on SNL

Leslie Jones has spoken about her five-year tenure on Saturday Night Live, calling it a "bittersweet" experience. The Emmy-nominated comedian, who was with the show from 2014 to 2019, found herself frequently typecast into roles that leaned into the stereotype of an "angry Black woman." Jones expressed frustration that her characters were often depicted as either angry or aggressive, or in relationships with white male characters.

She recalled her specific sketches, such as "This Is How I Talk" and "Wedding Objections," where her characters were defined by these traits. Jones stated that after realizing the pattern, she approached the SNL writing team, requesting they stop writing her in such stereotypical ways. She claims her requests were dismissed because the characters were considered successful by the show's producers.

Despite these frustrations, Jones diplomatically addressed the environment at SNL for Black comedians, referring to it as "the machine." She acknowledged that SNL can serve as a valuable foundation for comedians looking to establish themselves. During her time on the show, Jones earned three Emmy nominations.