In the category of “it’s about time,” Saturday Night Live has added two women to its 35th season cast: Jenny Slate and Nasim Pedrad.
Although NBC hasn’t officially announced the additions, SNL cast member Bill Hader confirmed the news to MTV News. Unfortunately, Ausiello tweeted this afternoon that Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson have been dropped from the cast, so the additions don’t do a whole lot for gender balance.
The 13-person cast now has nine men and 4 women.
Slate is part of the comedy team Gabe & Jenny, who hosts the weekly “Big Terrific” at The Cameo in Brooklyn. Here’s their one and only PG-13 video:
Like many SNL-ers, Slate is an Upright Citizens Brigade alum and has lots of friends and fans in the comedy biz. You may have seen her as Jenny on the “7th Floor West” sketches for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
I’ve seen Slate perform and, trust me, she’s funny. Her manner reminds me of Amy Poehler and Sarah Silverman in that at first glance she looks sweet and perky — then the crazy starts. In other words, she’s perfect for SNL.
Pedrad, who was born in Tehran, Iran, has worked with UCB/LA, Improv Olympic and The Groundlings — the sketch comedy equivalent of a PhD.
If she looks familiar, you’re probably an ER fan; Pedrad had a recurring part as Nurse Suri. She will be the first Iranian American to join Saturday Night Live.
Unfortunately, the only video available with Pedrad drops a few F-bombs and doesn’t show off her comedy skills much anyway. Clips from her one-woman show “Me, Myself & Iran” are nowhere to be found. So, we’ll just have to wait a few more weeks to see her in action. Season 35 premiers on September 26 with guest host Megan Fox and musical guest U2.
Needless to say, I’m excited about seeing these women on Saturday Night Live. And I have a feeling that Kristen Wiig is excited, too.
Are you ready to see fresh faces on SNL? Will these two women comedians get you to watch?
