My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Was SNL's Audition for New Black Female Cast Member a Publicity Stunt?

By:

According to a comedian who attened Saturday Night Live's secret audition to find a new African-American female for the cast of SNL, the audition seemed more a publicity stunt to quiet the critics than to find a new cast member.

Tiffany Haddish, a comedian who went to the audition on December 2nd said that it felt more like a "dog and pony show" according to her quote to TMZ, than an actual audition. The biggest hint was the absence of of exectutive producer Lorne Michaels, who is normally attends auditions.

There is also the timing, where the audition was time right after Jay Pharoah and Kenan Thomson "publicly blasted" the producers for not having an African-American female on the cast. Pharoah even put out a name, Darmirra Brunson, who happened to be at the LA audition.

Haddish claimed to TMZ that she believes that SNL "already knows who they want" and that they are wasting time, money, and gas with these auditions.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best New Play - Top 3
1. Liberation
30.9% of votes
2. Giant
15.7% of votes
3. Dog Day Afternoon
15.4% of votes

Need more Broadway Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


TICKET CENTRAL
Hot Show
Tickets From $68
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $66
Hot Show
Tickets From $58