Leslie Jones Opens Up About Her Tumultuous Experience on "Saturday Night Live"
The Clash with a "Narcissistic" Director
Leslie Jones, the former Saturday Night Live (SNL) star, recently shared a candid and explosive account of her time on the iconic sketch comedy show. During an appearance on the Toure Show podcast, Jones revealed a heated confrontation she had with a director during the filming of a pre-taped sketch in November 2017. The incident highlighted the challenges she faced while working on the show, particularly with certain individuals she deemed unprofessional and overly self-absorbed. Jones described the director as a "f–king a–hole" and a "narcissistic d–khead," expressing no hesitation in airing her grievances publicly.
The conflict arose during a sketch featuring Jones, her co-star Kyle Mooney, and guest host Tiffany Haddish. The sketch revolved around a fictional marriage between Jones and Mooney, a premise Jones admitted she never found funny. According to Jones, the director insisted on filming well into the early morning hours, despite the cast and crew having to return for the live show later that day. Jones, exhausted and frustrated, decided she had had enough. "I was like, ‘Yo, I’m going home,’" she recounted. When the director challenged her, asking, "What makes you so f–king special?" Jones wasted no time in shutting him down. "What makes me special is that the f–king sketch is about me and Kyle, not you," she responded before warning him to "step off" or face the consequences.
Tiffany Haddish Steps In to Defend Her Friend
The situation escalated further when the director continued to provoke Jones, standing in her face and refusing to back down. It was at this point that Tiffany Haddish, who was in her dressing room, intervened. Haddish, known for her bold personality, stormed out and demanded to know who was causing trouble. Upon learning it was the director, she allegedly said, "We about to f–k him up." While the confrontation never turned physical, it underscored the tension and frustration Jones felt during her time on the show. Despite their differences, the cast and crew had to put their animosity aside to finish filming.
Creative Differences and Frustration with the Sketches
Jones also opened up about her broader dissatisfaction with the show, particularly the creative direction of certain sketches. She admitted that she hated the recurring premise of her fake romance with Kyle Mooney, a storyline she believed was neither funny nor original. "I hated every one of those," she confessed. Jones felt the humor was rooted in a tired stereotype—her being a tall, Black woman paired with a smaller, white man—a dynamic she found uninspired and offensive. "They thought it was funny because I was this big ass b–ch with this little white boy," she said, criticising the show for relying on shallow, repetitive jokes.
Her frustration wasn’t limited to the sketches with Mooney. Jones also expressed discomfort with her segments on Weekend Update, where she would often play up a flirtatious persona with anchor Colin Jost. While the segments were intended to be humorous, Jones felt they relied on the same outdated playbook, reducing her character to a caricature. Her experiences highlight the challenges women of colour often face in comedy, where their roles are frequently defined by stereotypes rather than depth or originality.
Leslie Jones’ Legacy and Life After SNL
Despite the challenges she faced, Leslie Jones’ time on Saturday Night Live was undeniably impactful. She became a fan favourite during her five-season tenure (2014–2019), earning three Primetime Emmy nominations for her work. Her explosive personality, sharp wit, and unapologetic humour resonated with audiences, making her a standout performer. Jones has since gone on to pursue a successful film career, appearing in blockbusters like Ghostbusters (2016), The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019), and Coming 2 America (2021). Her journey is a testament to her resilience and talent, proving that she is more than capable of thriving beyond the confines of SNL.
A Look Back: Lessons Learned and Growth
Leslie Jones’ story serves as a reminder of the highs and lows that come with working in a high-pressure environment like Saturday Night Live. While the show provided her with a platform to showcase her comedic genius, it also exposed her to unnecessary stress, unprofessional behaviour, and creative stagnation. Her willingness to speak openly about her experiences highlights her commitment to authenticity and her refusal to tolerate disrespect. As she continues to carve out her path in the entertainment industry, Jones remains a powerful voice, inspiring others to stand their ground and advocate for themselves, both on and off screen.
