SNL Casts Michelle Obama: Maya Rudolph To Return, Says Report

UPDATE:
Watch Maya Rudolph as Michelle Obama

PREVIOUSLY:
Saturday Night Live is on a roll, and joining Fred Armisen's Barack Obama will reportedly be former cast member Maya Rudolph

Since they've had great success with Tina Fey and Will Ferrell, well placed sources tell us "SNL" is once again bringing back a former cast member ... Maya Rudolph will play Michelle Obama this weekend.

Besides playing Mrs. O, we're told Maya -- who left the show last November -- will once again co-star with Amy Poehler in their "Bronx Beat" skit. Oh my gawd!

Tragically, we're told Tina will not be back playing Sarah Palin on Saturday.

Maya isn't the only former cast member returning this political season. Chris Parnell has been back to play Jim Lehrer and Tom Brokaw in debate sketches and Will Ferrell returned as President Bush. When on the show Maya was known for her impressions of Donatella Versace and Whitney Houston.

Comments

[JasonGolfPro]

Let's see, Sarah Palin drew the highest audience on SNL in 14 years; I bet this one will draw the fewest since SNL's inception.

[isi]

AlligatorShuz, are you saying that Barack Obama is not a real black man because only one parent was black?

[DeAnnaClaudette]

"Real black" is a bad way to put it but Obama is not all black, Michelle is. It's a complicated subject, which is why people usually have one of two reactions. Fall back on the "we are all one race" line and dismiss it altogether; or to just throw their hands up and give up at trying to explain it, because unless you have lived and experienced these kinds of things, it's difficult to wrap your mind around. It's why I generally don't discuss race with people who aren't of my race because no matter how I explain it, even if it seems so simple and clear to me, it's not to them. Such is life.

[dct1999]

Well said. A lot of well meaning white people continue to spout the "we are one race" myth. They don't seem to understand that they insult us when they dispute out life experiences. I have a white mother and I still don't discuss race with white people outside of my own family. It is like attempting to communicate with someone who doesn't understand our language.

[isi]

Michelle is not ALL black. I think you are deriding Maya Rudloph's blackness with your comments.

[Meah]

You could certainly say that Michelle is all black considering that culturally she was brought up by two black parents in the African American community. And Obama was not. My husband is "all black" and I am white. He thinks Obama is more white than black because culturally he was brought up in the white community. His adult community was chosen by him, but he was already Obama the man. My husband and I call mixed race children "golden children". They have a very unique vantage point in this world.

[robXdion]

Para 1

The issue of skin tone within the black community is a sensitive issue. Not to take anything from those who are lighter, mixed with a white parent, etc. But it would be much more laudatory if whites viewing this discussion backed off and relented on the "we are all one race" lecturing when they have little to no life experience on this topic.

Because if skin color didn't matter, Lorne Michaels and white viewers wouldn't have a problem with a darker black woman playing the role. PERIOD. To see so many commenters in here defending this out of some "We Are the World" sentiment is laughable because what it really comes down to is they really don't feel as comfortable with darker blacks. We've been placating whites and waiting for them to get over racial fears for decades now. It's like a child scarred of the boogeyman in the closet so you have to constantly offer reassurance. Then we have to offer racial "training wheels" like a lighter black face so they don't get scared again. Weening them off their fear like they're in a detox center.

[robXdion]

Para 1.5

I understand her mother was a black woman. That's fine. However, while her role maybe flattering to some, the omission and rejection of a darker woman is insulting to many darker black women. This archetype has been a mainstay in Hollywood for years. Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, Diahann Carroll, Halle Berry, etc, etc, etc have all owed their instant fast-tracked fame over darker women to their close approximation to white women.

[Friday025]

Her mother was freaking Minnie Ripperton!

[robXdion]

I know who her mother was. That doesn't make her "SUPER" black as opposed to plain ole "regular" black, does it? Get a grip on your celebrity worship.

[CaptainVideo]

The future of America is multi-racial. We are moving toward becoming a nation where the majority of the people will not be of one particular race, but racially mixed. The women listed above represent the future of this country.

While Michelle Obama is darker than Barak, she is not pure black either, but is racially mixed.

[robXdion]

So you should be equally pleased with a dark black woman playing the role then. If not, save the pleasantries.

[robXdion]

Para 2

Although I'm sure Maya Rudolph is capable, as I remember her talent, this role could still be performed by a black woman who actually resembles Michelle Obama as least in skin tone without demeaning makeup which only recalls images of actors in blackface, imitating blacks for the entertainment of white audiences. There are hundreds of starving black actresses and comediennes in Hollywood that could fill this role. Off the top of my head, a great guest performer for the part could be Vivica Fox, Gabrielle Union or Angela Bassett. So if color doesn't matter, why the insistence on light women to portray blackness? Is this more fear of the black boogeywo(men)?

These are my views as a light skinned black man. We've been tippytoeing around subconscious white racial preferences and tastes for years now. And right now, that's still saying the closet thing to looking white is the only way to portray blacks on TV. Some of you are so accepting and brainwashed, you've forgot how insulting this is.

[DeAnnaClaudette]

I would be willing to bet that, out of all 1st wives, and potential 1st wives, Michelle Obama probably is the least liked. Even among people who like Barack, they will still have something nasty to say about Michelle. The people in this country don't care for or like black women very much. Having a brain, an opinion, as a black woman, is looked at as having an attitude. When people look at her, all they see is an Angry Black Woman. It's sad.

[robXdion]

They're coming around to liking her better. But the real idiocy is many don't seem to understand the racism they often turned a blind eye too and joked about effects people. Whites get up in arms about here Princeton thesis examining the racism and ostracism she experienced while at the Ivy League school, then act like she should be thrilled her former admittedly racist roommate finally acknowledged her presence (as if that's some reward). It's surreal how they disregard the humanity of those who don't look like them.

[isi]

You are overgeneralizing. I am a Barack Obama supporter and I think Michelle Obama is tremendous. And, my friends and family members who are voting for Barack Obama agree. We will be so fortunate to have Barack and Michelle Obama and their daughters in the White House and representing America to the world.

[CaptainVideo]

I think you are invalidly generalizing from views held by only some.

I am a white supporter of Barak and I think that Michelle will make a really classy first lady. She has a very nice personality and the fact that she is very intelligent is a major plus.

[RaineyDay5]

SNL usually gets someone to play the part that at least looks like them a little... Like Queen playing GWen Ifil. I agree that they could've asked someone like Vivica Fox or Comedienne Simmore (ummm, ok maybe not) but I agree this is not a good match.

[MikeInMemphis]

Rudolph is half black...

[peachesmahoney]

While she's there, she should do Donnatella Versace as well!

[dollphingurl]

is there no one qualified in New York City who resembles Mrs. Obama a bit more closely? i ain't hatin' on an actor having a job, but is this the best Lorne Michaels and them could do?

is their contact list of Black actors that friggin' small?

this reminds me of years ago when i swore off SNL they did a parody of Cyrano de Bergerac with Tim Meadows (the Black guy) playing a jive-talking, extraordinarily wide-mosed protagonist. it was disgusting.

SNL is to TV variety what Sarah Silverman is to standup comedy -- more often like a crash you can't turn away from than anything else. Mark Wahlberg was spot on with that.

BUT - this Palin stuff has been off the chain and Amy Poehler ROCKED that rap last week.

[dct1999]

This is exactly why I do NOT watch SNL.

[Haditup2here]

Me too . . . that is pathetic.

[DeAnnaClaudette]

I feel the same way, and is also why I don't watch SNL. The Palin skits have been hilarious, but the fact that they have to get Maya Rudolph (who I do like, btw) come back to play Michelle Obama just highlights the FACT that they have ignored placing black women on SNL throughout their history. I understand that Maya is half black, and I am not hating on her. I just got/get tired of them dressing black MALE actors in drag anytime they are making fun of a black actress that is not Beyonce or Oprah.

At any rate, SNL isn't generally a funny show. They should be kissing Palin's bum and bowing down to her for reviving that show. If only for a moment.

[AlligatorShuz]

Couldn't the clueless writers of SNL brought in a REAL BLACK WOMAN TO PLAY MICHELLE OBAMA?

[vincefango]

What about Maya Rudolph isn't a "REAL BLACK WOMAN"? Her skin? All you SNL haters (and Maya haters) can just TUNE OUT. Simple.

[AlligatorShuz]

I like SNL for your fyi but they could hire a real black woman! Michelle Obama isn't mixed race? Both of her PARENTS ARE BLACK

[dct1999]

I wouldn't have used the words "real black woman" but I understand exactly what alligatorshuz is talking about. This is horrible f^kking casting. Rudolph is a terrible physical mismatch for Michelle Obama. SNL is staffed by clueless insensitive white people who need to be criticized for their stupid racially ignorant casting choices.

[AlligatorShuz]

Maya Rudolph is the daughter of the late R & B star Minnie Ripperton. Maya can't sing like her mother could. Mariah Carey voice reminds me of Minnie Ripperton voice some what. But Maya is very funny.

[yoli647]

Welcome back, Maya, this is good news.

[nippyfan]

ummmm....can't they call Kim Wayans and get her to make a cameo on SNL. I'd like to see how they are gonna pull this off with that one. Jeesh! We don't really all look alike. At least match the hue.

[TroubleNYC]

She's too light, I can't see it. She better get her mannerisms and voice down pact to pass it off.

[dct1999]

Not doable, the SNL staff prove their racial cluelessness again.

[dollphingurl]

thanks, y'all -- homegirl over on MAD-TV did whitney houston so flawlessly it was RIDICULOUS.

after 34 years of being "live from New York" -- this is the best casting decision for this particular role? i understand office politics and all that, but DANG!

and maya rudolph is funny, but with all due respect, she and that Barack imitator are gonna be effin' WHACK!

[lilkunta]

1)Well SNL is gonna put some1 is blackface again, @least Maya is 1/2 AfrAm.
2)Maya was fired from SNL last Nov. There was no annnouncemen or goodbye like Tina had & Amy will have. Why is that?

& now she is returning? Is Maya desperate 4 work? She does have a 3yr old daughter 2 support afterall.

[robynn]

SNL! WTF? Why aren't you casting a darker skinned female? Michelle is not light-skinned. This is a misrepresentation.

[dct1999]

SNL staff = clueless white people