Amy Poehler Finally Owns Her SNL Missteps: Candid Regrets Revealed
I’m guessing you haven’t been monitoring every late-night podcast, so here’s the lowdown on Amy Poehler’s recent confession about her SNL past. In a refreshing yet uncomfortably candid moment, the comedian admitted, “we all played people we should not have,” directly addressing some of her most controversial impersonations on Saturday Night Live. You’re welcome for clearing that up.
Poehler’s revelation came during a sit-down interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where she dissected sketches that, in hindsight, leaned into misguided stereotypes. Underneath her trademark cheerfulness, she expressed genuine regret over certain character choices—most notably her episodes of impersonating personalities through what many now view as problematic caricatures. Deadline corroborated that she specifically lamented blackface moments and overly broad accents, acknowledging these were “not jokes we’re proud of today.”
For context, SNL has long been criticized for failing to cast diverse actors in pivotal roles, instead relying on its regular ensemble to don problematic makeup and catchphrases. Variety pointed out that Poehler’s era (2001–2008) coincided with a period when the show rarely paused to evaluate the cultural impact of its humor. She confessed that at the time, no one questioned whether such portrayals were hurtful, and “to my embarrassment, I went along with the status quo.”
Poehler isn’t just pointing fingers backward; she’s calling for systemic change. According to Entertainment Weekly, she urged NBC and Lorne Michaels to be more proactive about inclusion, advocating for writers’ rooms that reflect real-world diversity. She also emphasized the importance of open dialogue among cast mates, arguing that “we all need to feel comfortable saying, ‘That’s got to go.’” Clearly, she’s positioning herself as part of the solution, not just the problem.
This isn’t Poehler’s first attempt at course correction. In 2020, she and fellow alum Tina Fey issued joint apologies for offensive sketches, as reported by People Magazine. But this fresh round of accountability feels more pointed, driven by a desire to ensure younger comedians learn from past missteps instead of repeating them.
So there you have it: Amy Poehler has publicly owned up to playing “people we should not have,” and she’s using her platform to push for a more conscientious comedy scene. You might think you already knew all this, but now you’re fully briefed. Hopefully that wasn’t too much for you to digest. Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Variety, Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
