Kenan Thompson
Leslie Jones
Ego Nwodim
Chris Redd
Kyle Moony
Beck Bennett
[Starts with Kenan and Leslie on SNL stage presenting]Kenan Thompson: Since this is the first show during black history month, we wanted to take a moment to talk about some of the great African-American entertainers who have contributed to the legacy of “Saturday Night Live.”
Leslie Jones: From Garrett Morris to Eddie Murphy to Ellen Cleghorn and so many more. Representing black culture has always been a part of Saturday Nighe Live’s DNA.
[Ego Nwodim and Chris Redd join Kenan and Leslie]Ego Nwodim: Whether is was Billy Preston’s musical performance in the first episode.
Chris Redd: Or Richard Pryor’s unforgettable job hosting in season one.
[Kyle Mooney joins everybody. Everybody is shocked he’s on the stage.]Kyle Mooney: Saturday Night Live made it clear that good comedy is color blind.
Kenan Thompson: Hey, what’s up, Kyle?
Kyle Mooney: Hey guys, I just wanted to lend my support.
Kenan Thompson: Well, thank you Kyle.
Leslie Jones: Thanks buddy.
Kenan Thompson: So, from all of us–
Kyle Mooney: [Interrupting Kenan] I’m not saying that because it’s the month. I really meant it.
Leslie Jones: We know you do.
Kyle Mooney: If it was up to me this would be much earlier in the show. It sickens me that they buried it like this.
Kenan Thompson: Yeah. We gotcha, bro. Thank you. So, to sum it up–
Kyle Mooney: [Interrupting Kenan] Real quick, did you know African-American contributions to entertainment didn’t start with ‘Saturday Night Live’?
Ego Nwodim: Yeah, we know.
Kyle Mooney: Actors like Sydney Poitier and Harry Belafonte changed the way people thought of movie stars. ‘To Sir, With Love’ was one of the best movies of the 60s. I haven’t seen that one TCM lately. Huh, I wonder why.
Kenan Thompson: Buddy, buddy, no, no!
[Kyle Mooney moves in front of everyone]Kyle Mooney: You see, America was surprised to see a black leading man, but we always knew what we were capable of.
Leslie Jones: Did you say me? He said we?
Kyle Mooney: Chicago, 1922. Louis Armstrong joins Kind Oliver’s Creole jazz band and American toes haven’t stopped tapping since.
Chris Redd: Oh, he crazy.
[Beck Bennett joins everybody]Beck Bennett: Oh Carl, what are you doing man?
Ego Nwodim: Thank you Beck. Please get your man.
Beck Bennett: Yeah, of course Kyle, hearing you talk, you think all African-American trial blazers were male. Hattie McDaniel took home the Oscar for for ‘Gone With the Wind’ In 1940. Any plans to mention that?
Kyle Mooney: Maybe after I mentioned Ella Gordon who started the first African-American school for dance in 1919.
Beck Bennett: Wow, overlook Katherine Dunham much?
Kyle Mooney: Lena Horne.
Beck Bennett: Nina Simone.
Kyle Mooney: Beverly Johnson.
Chris Redd: Okay, who’s Beverly Johnson?
Leslie Jones: Really? You’re going to help them.
Kenan Thompson: Guys, it really means the world to use that you googled all of those names.
Beck Bennett: And memorized them.
Leslie Jones: But it sounds like you learned all that stuff just to impress your black friends?
Beck Bennett: Oh my god, did you hear that?
Kyle Mooney: Yeah, we have black friends. [Beck and Kyle leave with excitement]
Leslie Jones: Idiots.
Kenan Thompson: Well, thank you Kyle and second dummy.
Leslie Jones: Yes, thank you.
Kenan Thompson: But seriously, it’s an honor to stand on this day. Thanks to all the people who stood here before us. So happy black history month to everybody.
Leslie Jones: It’s going to be better tomorrow.
Kenan Thompson: Indeed.
