Kerry Washington has been killing it lately – the newly pregnant star is doing great both in her personal and her professional life, with an upcoming SNL hosting gig to look forward to. In the promos, Washington and Taran Killam riff off each other on topics like Scandal, Eminem’s special performing style (the rapper will be the musical guest during the episode) and of course, that ever touchy subject – Washington’s body.

Kerry Washington, Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon
Washington looked glamorous as ever, promoting her SNL episode.

To be fair, the actress isn’t showing any sort of baby bump and looks killer in a purple ensemble (and matching lipstick.) Killam on the other hand, has opted for the traditional uniform – patterned shirt and neutral cardigan. But enough about the clothes, let’s talk about the controversy.

Check out the full set of promos below, courtesy of NBC's official YouTube channel:

Namely that, once again, this season’s cast on SNL does not include a black woman. Diversity is important, and Lorne Michaels’ team doesn’t really have a great reputation with that (in SNL’s over three decade run, the show has featured three black comediennes in total,) but more than that, it prevents the show from doing a lot of topical humor.

Both of the show’s black comedians – Kenan Thompson and Jay Pharaoh both refuse to do drag, as is their right, which means for example, that in the entirety of President Obama’s run, there hasn’t been a single impersonation of the first lady. No Oprah, no Beyoncé – and let’s face it, as much as we’re all convinced that Beyoncé is perfection in human form, a few gags poking fun at her would hit the perfect cultural nerve at the moment.

Thompson tried to defend the show’s producers earlier this year, but he only made matters worse, by inadvertently stating that black comediennes just weren’t “ready” for the show. Thankfully, Washington seems to be. Hopefully the writers will put her acting talents to good use and write a few of those sketches SNL fans have been expecting for years.

Kerry Washington, Ed Sullivan Theater
Washington has a lot to celebrate these days.