“Saturday Night Live” is looking to add an African-American woman to its cast as soon as January, according to The Hollywood Reporter — after the long-running NBC franchise faced criticism this season for its lack of minority cast members.
“SNL” has held two showcase auditions for black comediennes in New York and LA, according to the report.
The show currently only has two African-American cast members — Kenan Thompson and Jay Pharoah — leaving “SNL” with no one to play black female characters, a point it parodied when “Scandal” star Kerry Washington hosted last month.
A spot in the cast will also be opening up with “Weekend Update” host Seth Meyers set to leave “SNL” in mideason to take over “Late Night” from Jimmy Fallon.