Lorne Michaels and ‘SNL’ Cast: Bruce Jenner Jokes Are Not Off Limits
When it comes to Saturday Night Live very few topics are off limits -- including Bruce Jenner’s reported gender transition.
While the long-running sketch comedy series -- currently celebrating its 40th anniversary -- has dealt with controversy before, jokes about the Olympic athlete-turned-reality star may prove tricky.
“Nothing is really off limits if we have a take on it that I think is original and funny,” Lorne Michaels told ET Wednesday’s world premiere of the documentary, Live from New York. The SNL creator has overseen controversial sketches on Tiger Woods’ infidelity scandal and the ISIS terrorist group.
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Ultimately, for the show to take on Jenner, breakout cast member Leslie Jones said they have to find the comedic element. “I don't think we've come up with anything funny yet to put out there,” Jones said. “But I'm pretty sure we've got something brewing.”
Diane Sawyer’s highly anticipated interview with Jenner, who will reportedly address the rumors about his gender identity, airs April 23. But don’t expect any quips from Cecily Strong, who is hosting the White House Correspondents Dinner two nights later.
“I don’t have any Bruce Jenner jokes right now,” she told ET. “That’s not as exciting to me as something that would be a silly goofy spectacle.”
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Whatever SNL does, it will have to tread carefully to avoid a backlash. Comedy Central’s Roast of Justin Bieber featured many punch lines at Jenner’s expense that many said crossed the line and were offensive. And Jamie Foxx recently came under fire for similar comments at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
The remaining Jenners and the extended Kardashian family (and Kanye West), on the other hand, are probably still fair game, at the Correspondents Dinner or future SNL sketches. “They’re a part of me as they are a part of all of us in American society,” Strong says of the family.
Watch the first promo of Jenner's interview with 20/20 below:
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