'SNL' News: Jay Pharoah Eyed As FOURTH New Cast Member (VIDEO)

UPDATE: We found a clip from one of Pharoah's comedy shows where he demonstrates his AMAZING Obama impression. Scroll down for video!

PREVIOUSLY: Since news came last week that Will Forte would be leaving 'Saturday Night Live,' three people have already been confirmed as new cast members, and now we might have a fourth newcomer.

The Comic's Comic has the exclusive news that Lorne Michaels is eyeing 22-year-old Virginia stand-up comic Jay Pharoah, who has a huge arsenal of celebrity impressions including a pretty solid Barack Obama one. Could this be then end of racially incomparable Fred Armisen impersonating the President?

For a young man who says he dreams of meeting his comedy idols Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock, it looks like his dreams may come true. The Comic's Comic reports that "Pharaoh flew into NYC twice in August for screen tests and meetings with Lorne."

Pharoah's addition to the cast would double the number of African American players currently on the show (which has often skewed white) in addition to Keenan Thompson. It would also be the largest influx of new talent in to the show in a single season, since 2001 when Lorne Michaels introduced Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Dean Edwards and Jeff Richards to the 27th season of "SNL."

To learn more about Jay Pharoah's talents, start by checking out this video below where he impersonates both Will Smith and Denzel Washington in spoof called "Behind The Actor."

WATCH:

WATCH:

Comments

[Toya Condelee]

07:17 PM on 09/11/2010

DOES anybody know when he's gonna premier?? I wanna DVR it.

[RoddyBoy08]

11:33 PM on 09/06/2010

meh... Alphacat's is better

[aristippe]

10:02 PM on 09/06/2010

this guy has a real future. congrats Jay.

[Troublefunk]

02:21 PM on 09/06/2010

This Obama impression from huff post a couple months ago was spot on.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-camp/leaked-president-obamas-v_b_609555.html

[Tyger79]

10:58 PM on 09/06/2010

It is unreal. I hope they actually let him do the impression in that format. Just a voice over. "Presidential Voicemail with Barack"

[Troublefunk]

04:35 AM on 09/07/2010

Yeah, Weingartener's Obama is uncanny.

[aed626]

01:06 PM on 09/06/2010

I don't think he sounded like Obama at all, but he certainly does a better Obama than Fred Armisen

[Billy D]

12:48 PM on 09/06/2010

He doesn't even have to remember the jokes, he uses teleprompters too!

[aed626]

01:10 PM on 09/06/2010

Just saw John Boehner use the teleprompters the other day, the same ones Obama uses. If they can't beat Obama, they join him.

[sankofaman]

12:19 PM on 09/06/2010

Will Smith and Denzel Washington were pretty good. Obama I don't see it. If you want a really good Obama impression check out Cory Zooman Miller on youtube. He has Obama down pat.

[slb83]

11:08 AM on 09/06/2010

VA STAND UP!!! Just had to do it.

[bkmur]

10:37 AM on 09/06/2010

Oh Ashton. The Walmart punk boy look grows old. We know you know how to tie a tie. Even the cougars in the crowd would like a little evolution in your "look." Get a publicist with some fresh moves. Or better yet, emit something like entertainment.

[mypov123]

04:35 PM on 09/06/2010

Huh?

[OnlyOllie]

09:28 AM on 09/06/2010

The Will Smith and Denzel impressions were decent, not remarkable but obviously pretty polished. However the Obama was pretty poor. None of his the voice was way off, his head was cocked the entire time, which you very seldom see Obama do and just his mannerisms in general were not close to Obama's.

That being said I still say give the kid his fair shot, but I doubt too many will be impressed with his Obama.

Donald Glover on the other hand does a VERY good Obama, and actually some of the material is similar this. Though I guess it's not too much of a stretch to make jokes about Obama's "black side".

[Theatrixnyc]

11:05 AM on 09/06/2010

Let a writer, wardrobe mistress and a Director provide the polish. This guy has a natural talent that needs a little motivational push, in the right direction. That bit above will probably get a good shine job to it, and be (in some part..) the opening of the first new episode of SNL, this Fall.

[DawnLI]

12:57 AM on 09/08/2010

If you look through the videos at the bottom you'll find a better Obama impression and a great Eddie & Charlie Murphy impression.

[rockinroll]

09:26 AM on 09/06/2010

This was NOT a good Obama impression. Why does he hold his head to one side? whats up?

[targetedinstlouis]

09:04 AM on 09/06/2010

What the H _ _ _ ????? That is not the best impression of Obama. It's AWWWRIGHT but
not even as good as the fellow currently on SNL. But, much success to you my brotha.

[ColinStevens]

08:41 AM on 09/06/2010

The below video (the Obama impression) has been around for a long time - and it's one of the lousiest impressions out there. It's terrible. There are so many that are better.

HOWEVER - his Denzel Washington and Will Smith are PERFECT - brilliant.

[Chad53916]

08:26 AM on 09/06/2010

Very funny!!

[rc666]

07:38 AM on 09/06/2010

Awesome impersonations! He does Eddie Murphy and Jay-Z very well too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT2GUPsZcsQ