'Saturday Night Live' Adds Two Female Cast Members

Access Hollywood - November 13, 2008 9:09 PM PST
Story photo: 'Saturday Night Live' Adds Two Female Cast MembersNBC Photo: Mary Ellen MatthewsAccess Hollywood

NEW YORK, New York -- "Saturday Night Live" is adding two female cast members, an NBC source confirmed to Access Hollywood.

The new members are comediennes Michaela Watkins (pictured at right) ("The New Adventures of Old Christine") and Abby Elliott ("King of the Hill").

VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Saturday Night Live'

New York Magazine's Vulture blog was the first to report the news on Wednesday, based on a Twitter post from media blogger Rachel Sklar. NBC made the official announcement on Thursday.

Abby, the daughter of Chris Elliott, is the first child of a former cast member to be hired in the show's 34-season history. She's a veteran of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in LA -- which was founded by "SNL's" Amy Poehler -- while Michaela got her start with the Groundlings, the group that's launched many an "SNL" alum, including Will Ferrell and Maya Rudolph. Proving her "SNL" heritage, Abby trained with the Groundlings as well.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood Moms

According to "SNL" star Bill Hader, audiences won't have to wait to see them in action.

"Two women, very funny ladies from LA, just started today," he told Access on Wednesday night at an event at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York honoring Ben Stiller. "So yeah, they'll be on this Saturday."

The pair will be filling the gap left by Amy, the popular "Weekend Update" anchor who left the show recently to give birth to son Archie Arnett. When she returns from maternity leave, Amy will be working with the creators of "The Office" on a new sitcom for NBC.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Comedians

Despite the short notice, Bill told Access he thought the new performers would be ready for Saturday.

"They were just hilarious, their auditions were really funny and they're just really good," he said.

The November 15 show will be hosted by Paul Rudd ("Role Models") with musical guest Beyonce.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Seth Meyers Talks New Series 'SNL Thursday Night Live'
PLAY IT NOW: Access Exclusive: Amy Poehler's 'Smart Girls At The Party'

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Saturday Night Live - Comedians - Casting Call - TV

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comments 1-9 of 16  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • SICOFIT
    What!!! couldnt find any funny black women?
    report abuseposted November 14, 2008 1:28 PM PST
  • boomzer1
    Oh no. . . more "girl funny" on SNL. . . .
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 5:55 PM PST
  • movie goer
    i think there hacking accounts look at rose l it seems like someone would go though the trouble of making an avatar. so i would report but i dont want anyone's account getting dleted becasue of stuiped hackers.
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 5:35 PM PST
  • Vertigo
    Candy wasn't on SNL. Idiot
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 5:12 PM PST
  • jonathanz
    Mad Tv has not been funny since Will Sasso, Arie Spears, /etc left and that was five years ago meat head.
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 5:12 PM PST
  • LouDuva77
    SNL died when candy , chase , and sandler and evreyone left , now its a mockery to keep up with madtv
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 4:59 PM PST
  • Lala land
    XD Red Ears I wish she would get a forevr ban from yahoo! Do you think people should change there names to Shut up and report Nancy S? lol
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 3:03 AM PST
  • tinkerbell22
    snl wont b the same w/o amy poehler :(
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 2:21 AM PST
  • Red Ears
    Is there some way I can put Nancy S on IGNORE?
    report abuseposted November 13, 2008 2:20 AM PST
comments 1-9 of 16  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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