Kerry Washington Helps SNL Skewer Its Lack of Diversity

But is self-deprecating humor really enough?

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Ever since Saturday Night Live announced that six of this season’s new cast members were white men, the show’s lack of diversity — in particular, its lack of a black female cast member — has sparked an ongoing firestorm. Last night, with the help of the episode’s host, Kerry Washington, the show was quick to address this issue in its first sketch. The Scandal star was forced to play Michelle Obama and Oprah and even Beyoncé all at once. (Meanwhile, there were six people to play Matthew McConaughey.)

Bonus: Rev. Al Sharpton made a cameo, because why not? “What have we learned from this sketch?” he asked. “As usual, nothing.” And with that, the episode was underway.

So, diversity problem addressed, but is humor really enough here?

Ever since Saturday Night Live announced that six of this season’s new cast members were white men, the show’s lack of diversity — in particular, its lack of a black female cast member — has sparked an ongoing firestorm. Last night, with the help of the episode’s host, Kerry Washington, the show was quick to address this issue in its first sketch. The Scandal star was forced to play Michelle Obama and Oprah and even Beyoncé all at once. (Meanwhile, there were six people to play Matthew McConaughey.)

Bonus: Rev. Al Sharpton made a cameo, because why not? “What have we learned from this sketch?” he asked. “As usual, nothing.” And with that, the episode was underway.

So, diversity problem addressed, but is humor really enough here?