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Leslie Jones Is Leaving ‘SNL,’ Kate McKinnon Confirmed to Return

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Yesterday, “Saturday Night Live” revealed an exciting lineup for the beginning of its upcoming 45th season. But now, we have news that one of the show’s stars will not be there to participate in the fun.

Multiple outlets have confirmed that Leslie Jones will be leaving “SNL,” after five years with the long-running sketch comedy series. According to Deadline, Jones made the decision to depart herself, opting out of her seven-year contract to focus on a number of upcoming film projects (including a role in the “Coming to America” sequel) and a new stand-up special for Netflix.

The comedian earned two Supporting Actress Emmy nominations for her work on “SNL” (and is a current Emmy nominee for co-writing an original song for a digital short) which she joined in 2014 initially as a writer, before several buzzy appearances on Weekend Update bumped her up to cast member status. She went on to star in several films, including “The Angry Birds Movie 2,” “Top Five” with Chris Rock, and the 2016 “Ghostbusters” reboot, throughout her “SNL” tenure.

Jones’s costar in that latter flick, Kate McKinnon, is also one of her “SNL” cast mates, and was also on the bubble to return for next season, thanks to her bustling film career. But thankfully, the two-time Emmy winner has officially signed on to come back for season 45, though Deadline says that it remains to be seen whether she will be a full-time cast member or only appear sporadically. (Our fingers are crossed for lots of McKinnon in the coming months.)

According to The Hollywood Reporter, it’s not clear yet whether “SNL” will hire a replacement for Jones, though its cast is already quite large. The stars that will be returning this season are Beck Bennett, Aidy Bryant (whose future was uncertain after her Hulu series, “Shrill,” was renewed), Michael Che, Pete Davidson, Mikey Day, Colin Jost, McKinnon, Alex Moffat, Kyle Mooney, Cecily Strong, Kenan Thompson (who is seemingly always rumored to be leaving), and Melissa Villasenor; featured players Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Chris Redd will also be back.

Season 45 of “Saturday Night Live” premieres on NBC on September 28.

[via: Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter]

August 27, 2019
Leslie Jones Is in Talks to Join Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming to America’ Sequel

Sony Pictures

A “Coming to America” sequel is finally happening, and original star Eddie Murphy is going to be joined by a lot of familiar faces.

The latest star poised to join is Leslie Jones. The “Saturday Night Live” cast member is in talks for a “Coming 2 America” role, THR reports. That would put her in the film alongside returning stars Murphy, James Earl Jones, and Arsenio Hall, as well as Wesley Snipes and Kiki Layne.

The sequel will follow Prince Akeem (Murphy) of the fictional African nation of Zamunda as he returns to Queens, New York to meet the son he never knew he had. To honor the wishes of his dying father (James Earl Jones), Akeem will groom this son as a new crowned prince. Hall will again play Akeem’s close friend Semmi, while Layne will portray the prince’s daughter. So far, no details have been revealed about either Snipes’s or Jones’s character.

Jones is well-known for her work in comedy. She has been an “SNL” cast member since 2014 and has starred in films such as 2016’s “Ghostbusters” and “Masterminds.” Additionally, she voices a character in the upcoming “The Angry Birds Movie 2.”

“Coming 2 America” will be directed by Craig Brewer and produced by Murphy, Kevin Misher, and Kenya Barris. It will begin shooting later this month and is scheduled to open Dec. 18, 2020.

[via: THR]

August 7, 2019
Leslie Jones Slams Jason Reitman’s ‘Insulting’ ‘Ghostbusters’ Sequel

Sony

While many “Ghostbusters” fans have been celebrating the news of an upcoming third film in the original series, one star of the recent reboot isn’t happy.

Leslie Jones took to Twitter over the weekend to voice her disapproval of Jason Reitman‘s sequel, which will be a direct follow-up to his father Ivan Reitman’s 1984 and 1989 flicks. The Sony film will be entirely separate from Jones’s 2016 feature, and will not reference any of its characters or events.

So insulting. Like fuck us. We dint count. It’s like something trump would do. (Trump voice)”Gonna redo ghostbusteeeeers, better with men, will be huge. Those women ain’t ghostbusteeeeers” ugh so annoying. Such a dick move. And I don’t give fuck I’m saying something!!

— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) January 19, 2019

According to Jones, the move is dismissive and “so insulting,” essentially saying “f*ck us” to herself and the rest of the cast, including Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon. The actress also referenced the hate her film received because of its all-female ensemble, noting sarcastically that this new movie would be “better with men” because, after all, “those women ain’t [Ghostbusters].”

While Jones’s comments are a bit over-the-top, she’s not entirely wrong that Sony’s decision is kind of “a d*ck move.” After all, critics and fans generally enjoyed the 2016 film, which received mostly positive reviews despite some intense backlash from trolls who declared it a childhood-ruining abomination (and took much of their frustration out on Jones, who received such incessant racist abuse that she briefly quit Twitter).

But director Paul Feig‘s flick didn’t do big numbers at the box office, and Sony declined to move forward on a sequel as a result. The studio was eager to keep the “Ghostbusters” name alive, though, and continued to work on other projects centered around the property, ultimately leading Reitman to develop his new film.

It’s unclear what the director’s feature will focus on, though the film’s first teaser suggests it will be a passing of the torch to a new generation of paranormal investigators. No word yet on whether or not original stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, or Ernie Hudson will appear. (Harold Ramis passed away in 2014.)

We’re guessing at this point, Jones won’t be willing to make a cameo. Here’s hoping Sony reaches out to the 2016 cast anyway, though, as a gesture of goodwill.

January 21, 2019
Watch the Hilarious ‘SNL’ Season 43 Blooper Reel

NBC

“Saturday Night Live” features plenty of bloopers during its live broadcasts (everyone breaking during an especially insane Kate McKinnon performance, for example), but there are lots of behind-the-scenes outtakes, too, thanks to the show’s pre-taped digital content. And thankfully, the “SNL” team saved a bunch of them from the recently-wrapped 43rd season, and packaged them into one handy, hilarious blooper reel for your viewing pleasure.

The clip features a bunch of celebrity guest hosts (including just-announced Emmy nominees Donald Glover and Bill Hader) as well as regular cast members (fellow Emmy nominees McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Leslie Jones, and Kenan Thompson) completely flubbing lines, or just straight-up dissolving into giggles. It’s classic blooper reel stuff, and it’s all pretty wonderful.

Some of the moments are expected (Thompson, Glover, and Chris Redd can’t stop laughing about their ridiculous chains in the “Friendos” video), others are sort of awkward (Charles Barkley really enjoys using the F-word to express frustration). One of the most prescient mistakes comes at the tail end of the clip, when Bryant accidentally says “Welcome to sh*t” instead of “Welcome to hell” while filming the pop anthem send-up about female sexual harassment. Bryant’s version of the line is pretty accurate, too.

Watch the clip above and just try not to bust out laughing yourself.

July 17, 2018
NBC Cancels ‘Timeless’ a Second Time, But Wrap-Up Movie Still Possible

Leslie Jones may have to make good on her threat to march nude, ’cause NBC just canceled “Timeless.”

Again.

NBC canceled “Timeless” after one season last May, but fan outcry brought it back for a second season.

But this is what happens when a fan base is vocal and passionate … but unable to convert enough new viewers into the fandom.

As Deadline noted, this time NBC waited to share the bad news until after the May upfronts. The cancellation news came just before the casts’ options were set to expire.

But there’s a small spark of hope on the horizon for at least a wrap-up movie to provide closure after that major Season 2 finale cliffhanger; here’s that bit from Deadline:

“[T]he network and Timeless producer Sony Pictures TV had been discussing doing a two-hour movie that would resolve the cliffhanger in the recent Season 2 finale and wrap the stories on the show, giving fans closure. I hear the two sides have not been able to make the economics work so far but conversations continue, and NBC appears interested.

Doing two-hour movie finales is very expensive as it involves ramping up production and reassembling a team with little financial upside for the series’ network or studio. The economics are especially challenging on broadcast TV; the only series that has done it in the past decade or so was CBS’ CSI, which already had made a ton of money for CBS parent CBS Corp., spawning a billion dollar franchise for CBS TV Studios. On SVOD, Netflix recently did it with its cult sci-fi drama series Sense8.”

Co-showrunner Shawn Ryan tweeted about the sad news and wrap-up movie idea:

1. This is a sad day for the writers, actors, crew and especially the viewers of Timeless. We are all extremely proud of what we made and know that it was more than just a show for so many of our fans. It became a passion and a cause for many of them. https://t.co/FPbySi7LXZ

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) June 22, 2018

2. We’re proud of the impact @NBCTImeless had on so many people – the students who embraced history as a result of our show, the people who were inspired by our stories of inclusion and acceptance. We saw your tweets and were inspired by you.

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) June 22, 2018

3. If NBC is sincere in wanting a 2 hour movie to give much needed closure to our amazing @NBCTimeless fans, we are ready to make it. We don’t want the journeys of Lucy, Wyatt, Rufus and the others to end yet. #ClockBlockers

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) June 22, 2018

Co-executive producer Eric Kripke also weighed in:

THANK YOU cast, writers, crew and most all all, the #clockblockers for your brilliance & passion. I love you all. I was proud to bring a little positivity & inclusion into this f-d up world. I will keep my personal thoughts about network TV private until we get this movie made. https://t.co/DQc8corGGM

— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) June 22, 2018

The stars also reacted to the sad news:

It’s true. Thank you for all your support #Timeless fans! It’s been an absolute joy playing your Lucy. I sincerely hope we get to do the Timeless movie to wrap up the story and get one more go to wrap up the series in a powerful & elegant way! More soon! xoxo https://t.co/YI59x68dj6

— Abigail Spencer (@abigailspencer) June 22, 2018

I love you #Clockblockers. You’ve fought so hard and deserve so much more. #Timeless https://t.co/XmIblLJRkt

— Matt Lanter (@MattLanter) June 22, 2018

Oh boy. This news sucks. Not what we expected and NOT what our fans deserved. BIG GULP!
This mama bear wants to thank our #Timeless fans for all their love and support and for creating the vibrant, compassion community we are all now a part of.
❤️????????❤️????????❤️????????❤️ pic.twitter.com/3tlzmX0EBq

— Sakina Jaffrey (@sakinajaffrey) June 22, 2018

Hopefully NBC doesn’t leave the fandom completely hanging. Closure is needed!

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June 22, 2018
Leslie Jones Hopes ‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 44 Is Funnier & Less Political

Leslie Jones wants the next season of “Saturday Night Live” to aim for belly laughs instead of political gaffes.

“Comedy is a release just like art and music,” Jones told TheWrap. “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.”

No offense to political humor, she added, because “we do need that” in the world.

“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.”

But we also need more than that.

Jones told TheWrap she thinks it’s time to scale back a bit on the politics, which dominated Season 43 in just about every Cold Open and Weekend Update bit.

“I hope next year we can do more funnier stuff instead of a lot of political stuff this year, which we had to. 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.”

“Saturday Night Live” has taken criticism from the right for its clear anti-Trump slant. But many current SNL viewers appreciate the political humor, led by Alec Baldwin’s impression of Donald Trump and Kate McKinnon’s impression of most of his staffers. Jones joined bits last season as Trump’s ousted staffer and former “Apprentice” star Omarosa.

But these days you have maybe 10 comics doing the exact same Trump joke, Jones said.

“No one just gets up and does a simple joke that makes you laugh.”

SNL Season 44 will premiere this fall on NBC.

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June 15, 2018
‘Game of Thrones’ Star Surprises Leslie Jones to Watch Episode 4 Together & It’s Gold

This is pretty funny even if you don’t watch “Game of Thrones” at all.

“Late Night” host Seth Meyers shared another “Game of Jones” episode last night, watching “Game of Thrones” Season 7, Episode 4, “The Spoils of War,” alongside actress and former “Saturday Night Live” comic Leslie Jones. They did one of these last year, but this time the video included a wonderful surprise visit from one of the GoT stars.

Their commentary — especially Leslie’s — is hilarious, especially since they watch very differently. The way Leslie watches and analyzes the show, and reacts to big moments like Drogon swooping in? Magic. Seth didn’t even know you should watch the opening credits to see the different locations. #casual

At one point, during a Varys scene at Dragonstone, Seth asked Leslie for her take on Dany’s adviser. Leslie said Varys is like that girlfriend you can’t tell if she’s really your friend or not, ’cause behind your back she’ll talk all kinds of sh*t. So Leslie was glad when Dany made it clear to Varys that if he had a problem with her, he had to say it to her face.

Cue the actual Varys walking in — Conleth Hill, dressed in Varys garb. Leslie was ecstatic and hugged him, but proceeded to talk to him as Varys and challenged him on his shifty ways. Conleth responded in his own Northern Irish lilt, standing up for Theon — or Theron to Leslie, with Seth arguing that he was given the “r” when he lost his penis — because eunuchs stick together.

Watch the 9 minute video:“Game of Thrones” Season 7 continues with Episode 5, “Eastwatch,” on Sunday, August 13 at 9 p.m. on HBO. Check out the new photos, and the promo.

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August 10, 2017
NBC Cancels ‘Timeless’ After One Season: ‘We’re Surprised & Upset’

Is it really time for “Timeless” to end, or can the series find life elsewhere?

Show co-creator Eric Kripke confirmed that NBC canceled the time-traveling drama after its first season, which averaged 4.6 million viewers with a 1.1 rating in the advertiser coveted 18-49 demographic. As TVLine noted, the Season 1 finale ended on a cliffhanger, so fans hope that the story can continue somewhere else. Otherwise, why did they invest so much time and effort into the plot and characters only to have the rug swept out from under them, yet again? It doesn’t exactly inspire confidence to try another new show, since networks will probably continue this same bait-and-drop pattern.

Here’s a message from Kripke, with the promise of more to come from him later:

Its true. NBC canceled #Timeless. We’re surprised & upset. Get you a longer response later. Odds are long, but trying to find another home.

— Eric Kripke (@therealKripke) May 10, 2017

Co-creator Shawn Ryan added his own thoughts:

1. Learned a lot about TV biz in last few days. A lot of things to argue for a #Timeless renewal but $$$ flows in mysterious ways in tv now.

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) May 10, 2017

2. As @therealKripke mentioned, Sony will look for another outlet. Don’t know the viability of that, but know there’s intense fan love.

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) May 10, 2017

3. I’ve been inundated with #Timeless love by non show biz people more than any other show I’ve ever done. I feel bad for all of you today.

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) May 10, 2017

4. So thanks to all of Team Timeless for your passion and ❤️ for the show. We’ll try to keep it alive. #ResucitateTimeless

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) May 10, 2017

5. Want to add I got a classy call from Bob Greenblatt and Jen Salke from @nbc who are heartbroken about the financially driven decision.

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) May 10, 2017

6. Appreciate Bob, Jen and NBC giving us the canvas to tell 16 fun stories with our amazing cast. #ResucitateTimeless

— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyanTV) May 10, 2017

The “Timeless” cast also shared their sadness to end the story:

“Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time” — Abraham Lincoln
Thank you #Timeless fans for all of your support. An honor & a pleasure. pic.twitter.com/VN0DKBuIn1

— Abigail Spencer (@abigailspencer) May 11, 2017

Guess it’s time to hang up my time-traveling boots. People always say, “don’t live in the past”…. I don’t know man.. we sure had some fun. Been on some epic adventures with these guys. This is our first scene with the Lifeboat filming the pilot. What a journey huh @abigailspencer and @verbalberappin ? A sincere thank you to our creators Eric Kripke & Shawn Ryan. To our incredible cast and writers. Our dedicated crew and DEFINITELY to our awesome FANS!! #Timeless Ps. Just so y’all know, Sony is shopping it around to see if another network may want more time traveling adventures! Ya never know.

A post shared by Matt Lanter (@mattlanter) on May 10, 2017 at 7:55pm PDT

How you feel inside when they cancel #Timeless

A post shared by Malcolm (@verbalberappin) on May 10, 2017 at 5:41pm PDT

Actress/SNL-er Leslie Jones is a fan of the show and shared her disappointment with the cancellation:

WTF?! WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO KEEP A GOOD SHOW ON TV?! @NBCTimeless was an excellent show!!! Y’all making a huge mistake!!!

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) May 11, 2017

William Shatner also jumped into the conversation:

With the disappointing news on #Timeless there still is Lucy’s Diary up for bids. Here are the signatures. https://t.co/qN9syXurQL pic.twitter.com/8dEPR4br2K

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 11, 2017

Other viewers echoed their comments, calling “Timeless” one of their favorite new shows of the year, and Twitter is now filled with frustrated fans.

Man, everyone is ready to fight @nbc about the #Timeless cancellation and it’s beautiful. Some light in the darkness.

— Kimmy ???? (@PsychPineapple_) May 10, 2017

Wait…Taken survived but #Timeless was cancelled? I don’t understand @nbc. ????Timeless was the only show on your network I cared to watch!????

— Janna Lynn (@jannalynn95) May 10, 2017

#Timeless cancelled? How do these great sci-fi shows die after 1 season (cough cough Firefly), but other trash never freaking ends?

— Dean Hoffman (@DeanthePolitic) May 10, 2017

Another home for #Timeless please @hulu @netflix @TheCW @CBS #SaveTimeless save the quality!! @therealKripke @MattLanter @LanaJeany @jcbiii pic.twitter.com/DDj2vnum8d

— Barby73 (@zomparellina_73) May 11, 2017

‘Tis the season for this kind of disappointment, as the networks reveal their 2017-2018 programming, and break the bad news to the cast/crew/fans of the canceled shows.

On the better news front, NBC did renew “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” and “Chicago Med.” Basically, if “Timeless” added “Chicago” in front of it, it would’ve had a better shot.

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May 11, 2017
Jay Pharoah Sounds Off on ‘SNL’ Firing

Saturday Night Live” and how they show never really knew what to do with him.

The comedian told “Hot 97’s Ebro In The Morning that “multiple people on the cast” told him “you’re so talented, you’re so able, they don’t use you and it’s unfair and it’s making us feel bad.’”

The comedian, who played President Obama, Jay-Z and Will Smith, among other celebs, said he was tired of — as the host of the radio show said — only being there to do impressions of black celebrities.

He didn’t get to do his most famous impression of Obama for “the last year and a half,” he said, saying the show “gave up” on the character, even though Obama was still in office.

Pharoah also says he was nearly fired in 2013 when he spoke out about how the show didn’t have any black female comedians. “I almost freakin’ lost my job,” he says. The show then hired LaKendra Tookes, Leslie Jones, and Sasheer Zamata. He says it was Jones who encouraged him to do the Kevin Hart vs Katt Williams ‘Weekend Update’ skit.

He said he refused to do some of the skits he was asked to do, including wearing a dress: “They put people into boxes. Whatever they want you to do, they expect you to do,” he added. “I’m a little fiery too… I’m not a yes n****.” He said, though that he’s “got no beef” with “SNL” head honcho Lorne Michaels and that the two are “good.”

He told the radio hosts, “You go where you’re appreciated.” His new comedy series, “White Famous,” was just picked up by Showtime.

Watch the interview below. Multiple F-bombs, so grab your headphones if you’re watching it at work.

[Via Deadline]

April 14, 2017
13 Times Leslie Jones Made Us Literally Laugh Out Loud

Saturday Night Live,” playing Patty in the new “Ghostbusters,” or just being her genuinely hilarious self in an interview, we can’t help but love her.

To celebrate her birthday, we’re counting all the ways she makes us laugh until we cry.

September 6, 2016