Leslie Jones Admits It Was ‘Frustrating’ Being Typecast As ‘Angry Characters On “SNL”

Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones Admits It Was ‘Frustrating’ Being Typecast As ‘Angry Characters On “SNL”

#LeslieJones is speaking out about being pigeonholed into angry, combative roles during her time on Saturday Night Live.

During an appearance on The Sam Sanders Show, Jones said it bothered her that writers would consistently portray her as the aggressive one. “It was kind of frustrating that they would always make me the girl that was angry and beating up people or in love with a white boy,” she said. “They just always would make me angry or I’m fighting somebody.” She admitted she initially stayed quiet because she wanted to remain on the show, and only recognized the pattern once it kept repeating itself week after week.

Eventually, Jones said she confronted the writers directly, but the roles didn’t change. She recalled the writing room’s justification: “This is successful. When you leave here, you’ll be able to make [a career].” Jones wasn’t buying it. “I don’t want to be Chevy Chase. I don’t want to be whoever. I want to be Leslie. I want to do everything,” she said. When asked if #SNL was a healthy place for Black comics, she kept it brief: “I think that it is the machine that it is.” Jones joined the show in its 39th season, becoming the oldest new cast member in SNL history at 47.

She stayed for five seasons until 2019 and earned two Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.