SNL Tries To Duck Casting Controversy With Kerry Washington To Host

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Beejoli Shah

10/16/13 10:50AM

Filed to: Breakdowns

SNL quickly releases host announcements to refute lack of diversity claims; Charlie Hunnam seemingly overstepped his boundaries before departing 50 Shades; Alexis Bledel is trying to play half her age in a new movie; and India has a new superhero, thanks to Marvel.

On the heels of backlash over their lack of diversity, as well as Kenan Thompson's unfortunate comments regarding black female talent, Saturday Night Live conveniently announced today that Kerry Washington will be hosting the November 2nd episode. [Deadline]
Apparently Charlie Hunnam decided to leave 50 Shades Of Grey not just over cold feet from the media circus, but because his very exhaustive script notes made the producers grow tiresome of him in the weeks leading up to shooting. [THR]
Violet and Daisy, one of James Gandolfini's last films, was just bought by Northwest Pictures, but the bigger takeaway here is that 32-year old Alexis Bledel will be playing a teenager alongside 19-year old Saoirse Ronan. Does Alexis just never age? [THR]
Marvel's first ever Indian superhero movie, Chakra: The Invincible through Turner International's Cartoon Network this November. The countdown to when BuzzFeed's resident Indian listicle creator Rega Jha is forced to come up with 27 gifs to describe her glee begins in 3...2... [THR]

Breakdowns is a daily roundup of all the news that wasn't interesting enough to deserve two paragraphs.

4

Clutchman83 Beejoli Shah 10/16/13 11:45AM

Can I just say Kerry Washington is GORGEOUS!! I'd watch her play a barnacle...

Beejoli Shah Clutchman83 10/16/13 11:59AM

YES. I would literally let her beat me senseless every day just to be in her presence.

1

Spr0ckets Beejoli Shah 10/16/13 02:55PM

And I'd literally pay to see that.

Aaaw.... COME ON!!!!

You just put it out there.

Like the proverbial low hanging fruit (and then some).....

How could I not?

5

206Liles Beejoli Shah 10/16/13 11:21AM

Oh gee, here I thought she has been asked because she's talented, beautiful and is on a hit show. I had no idea she was a token.

3

Beejoli Shah 206Liles 10/16/13 11:45AM

Not a token. Definitely not a token. They had to have booked her, given Scandals shooting schedule, weeks in advance—likely well before any of the diversity controversy hit the news.

The conveniently timed announcement is the issue.

5

206Liles Beejoli Shah 10/16/13 11:48AM

That's the most boring conspiracy theory I've ever heard.

12

shadowcatt77 Beejoli Shah 10/16/13 10:59AM

Because SNL never announces their guest stars 2 weeks before they air, and they never actually book their potential guest stars more than 2 weeks before they air. Fake controversy.

13

Beejoli Shah shadowcatt77 10/16/13 11:07AM

Never? When I worked there just a few months ago, most stars were booked 2-3 months in advance, since working actors usually can't take a week off on a whim. But you're, right "never."

3

shadowcatt77 Beejoli Shah 10/16/13 12:57PM

I'm sorry that you didn't sense the sarcasm in my post. My point was that they always do this, so to assume that they announced her hosting spot "conveniently" after the Kenan quote was brought to light is stupid and inflammatory.

24

Doctoranger99 Beejoli Shah 10/16/13 11:01AM

So they couldnt have asked her to host the show because shes funny and has talent. No, they had her host because they dont have enough black women. Got ya. Totally makes sense.

6

Beejoli Shah Doctoranger99 10/16/13 11:06AM

Absolutely not—I used her as an example of a talented black female yesterday, in my article about Kenan's comments! There's no way they pulled her to host even in the last 3 weeks of controversy. I was pointing out that for someone that was VERY likely booked weeks ago (no chance you can get a working actor to give up an entire week of production on 3 weeks notice), SNL hastily announced the day after Kenan's comments that Kerry would be on the show. Hence the line:

Saturday Night Live conveniently announced today that Kerry Washington will be housting the November 2nd episode.

4

Clutchman83 Beejoli Shah 10/16/13 11:10AM

What's housting? Not usually a grammar nazi but you did it twice now.

1

Beejoli Shah Clutchman83 10/16/13 11:16AM

Typo in the original article which was then copy and pasted. Thanks.

Clutchman83 Beejoli Shah 10/16/13 11:27AM

Thanks for saying thanks, I always feel like an ass for pointing that stuff out.