Leslie Jones Is Leaving 'SNL' After Five Seasons, Kate McKinnon Will Return | lovebscott.com

Leslie Jones Is Leaving ‘SNL’ After Five Seasons, Kate McKinnon Will Return

Leslie Jones is not returning to ‘Saturday Night Live” after spending five seasons with the show.

It’s not all sad news, the 51-year-old has a role in the upcoming ‘Coming to America’ sequel and her own Netflix special.

via Page Six:

A source told us: “Leslie has chosen to depart as she has several upcoming projects in the works — and she thought it was the right time to go.”

Meanwhile, after months of speculation, Kate McKinnon will return, we’re told.

Jones is currently on screen in “Angry Birds 2” and will film her Netflix stand-up comedy special in Washington, DC, on September 10 at the Warner Theatre.

She was originally hired as a writer on the NBC show, and made appearances on “Weekend Update” before being given a fulltime cast member gig in 2014.

Jones was among the original comedians being considered for a spot in the main “SNL” cast in December 2013 after the long-running sketch series faced widespread criticism that its new cast lacked minority faces.

Sasheer Zamata ultimately landed the gig, but left in 2017.

At least Jones went out with a bang — as she gave a rousing speech on what would be her final “Weekend Update” appearance during the Season 44 finale alongside Colin Jost and Michael Che in May.

On the heels of the Alabama state Senate passing US’ most restrictive abortion legislation, Jones wore a “Handmaid’s Tale”-style outfit. Jones said, “We are all handmaids. My name actually is OfJost.”

She then proceeded to remove the red robe to reveal a black shirt that said “Mine,” with an arrow pointing south — and made a passionate speech in defense of women’s right to choose.

Jones showed photos of the 25 white Alabama state senators who had voted for the abortion ban.

“This looks like the cast of Lipitor commercial,” Jones said. “These look like mugshots of everyone arrested at a massage parlor.”

She then continued. “You can’t control women because, I don’t know if y’all heard, but women are the same as humans. And I’m Leslie Dracarys Jones. Why do all of these weird-ass men care what women choose to do with their bodies? I don’t care what you do with your 65-year-old droopy-ass balls.”

“When women have a choice, women have freedom,” Jones exclaimed to huge applause.

“The fact that nine states are doing this means this really is a war on women,” Jones said in conclusion. “You can’t tell me what to do with my body.”

If you ask us, ‘Saturday Night Live’ could use a whole HOST of new faces — especially of color.

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