SNL superstar comedian Leslie Jones broke unofficial protocol this week after she criticized her show’s overtly political bend.
Speaking with The Wrap, Jones expressed her fatigue from Saturday Night Live’s constant criticism of President Trump and other Republicans.
“I hope next year we can do funnier stuff instead of a lot of political stuff this year, which we had to,” she said. “There was so much stuff that was happening, there was no way that our show, with the responsibility that we have, would not to cover that stuff. It was just too important. But I do hope that next year, will be a lot more funny-funny based stuff, more comedy based stuff instead of a lot of political stuff.”
Jones clarified that there is an important place for political comedians on “SNL,” and the greater comedy world, but stressed that there’s such a thing as too much.
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“There should be a stream of comics that come and do that type of comedy, because we do need that. And I love looking at that type of comedy that explains what’s going on and make it funny so you can really realize this is ridiculous,” Jones said. “But there should be more than that as far as funny comics that come and really make you laugh. Like so gut laugh. Comedy is a release just like art and music. All of that is the same thing. You need that release. It can’t always be serious. You need The Three Stooges just as much as you need John Oliver.”
Photo by: Will Heath/NBC
Of course, Trump hasn’t only had an impact on “SNL,” but on comedy at large. Jones, now 50 years old, got her start as a stand-up comedian in 1987. She said young comedians today need to rethink their path to success.
NBC’s long-running sketch comedy show took a decidedly political turn in its 43rd season, with actor Alec Baldwin winning an Emmy Award for his impersonation of President Trump.
Trump — who guest hosted “SNL” in 2015 as a GOP White House hopeful — has since criticized the show, slamming it as “boring” and “unfunny.”
“There should be a stream of comics that come and do that type of comedy, because we do need that,” Jones, 50, said of political humor being a part of “SNL.”
“And I love looking at that type of comedy that explains what’s going on and make it funny so you can really realize this is ridiculous,” she said.
Jones was nominated for an Emmy in 2017 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in a year when “SNL” tied for the most nominations for any show along with HBO’s “Westworld.” This year, her “SNL” co-stars Colin Jost and Michael Che will serve as hosts for the ceremony, and she had some advice for them as well.
“Don’t f— it up,” Jones said.
(Excerpts) Read More at: TheHill.com and TheWrap.com