SNL realizes it’s 2014

It’s true. SNL realized it’s 2014 (but really, insert any year here) and there are funny people who are not white males — even though four of the five original new hires for the 2013-2014 season are white men (the fifth is a white woman). After much backlash, and one hilarious episode hosted by Kerry Washington, SNL has hired comedian Sasheer Zamata. And she’s hilarious:

Zamata is the first black woman on SNL since Maya Rudolph left in 2007. I almost wanted to boycott SNL this winter after SNL cast member Kenan Thompson told TV Guide in reference to the lack of black women in the cast: “It’s just a tough part of the business. Like in auditions, they never find ones that are ready.” Oh sweet, sweet patronization.

But, especially with the addition of Zamata, SNL’s female cast members are stealing the season and I will keep tuning in. For more on Zamata, Salon.com does a nice roundup of her standup and skits here.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!