Television
Garrett Morris paved the way for people of color on SNL, but it came at a cost: ‘A lot of racism’
Fifty years later, comedian and actor Garrett Morris remembers what it was wish to be the only black solid member and author on the inaugural solid of “Saturday Night Live” in 1975.
Said by the 87-year-old actor Guardian in a recent interview that after working in the experimental theater scene in Harlem under constant threat from the authorities, it was a much safer working environment. However, it was not effortlessly, namely racism.
“I will repeat until the end of my days: there was a lot of racism among the Lorne writers,” the star told the outlet.
He continued: “Sam Lorne? Zero racism. Because, remember, once I was hired, I used to be the only black author. Lorne wanted someone black on TV at night. People didn’t want it. They demanded that all the things be white. He didn’t do it.
The actor explained that he was initially hired as a author until Michaels was introduced to his role in the film as a history teacher.
“Because of this, I was asked to audition for Not Ready for Prime Time Players (then the working title of SNL),” Morris told the publication. “And I went from being a writer to being part of the group.”
Breaking boundaries in the fight against stereotypes
Despite the series’ success, the “Martin” star described a difficult period in her life drug fueledit involved “bad choices” and was marked by an try and resist being pigeonholed.
“It really touched me when we watched the first performance. I didn’t have the skit, but I watched another one. I told Lorne, “There’s a doctor in this skit.” Why don’t I play doctor? And he goes, “Garrett, a black doctor can dump people,” he said, adding, “Well, I came from New Orleans, where you are surrounded by black doctors and black PhD students. For that matter, in all the big cities in the south.
Among Morris’ breakout characters in the comedy sketch was Chico Escuela, a Dominican Major League player whose only line was, “Base-e-bol was damn good to me.” Another favorite moment was the introduction of the deaf translator on the update desk who simply repeated the message Chevy Chase delivered louder without signing it.
Morris explained how he tried to imbue his characters with something apart from stereotypical images of Black people. Still, Morris and his time on , where he contributed to 99 episodes, have change into synonymous with typecasting of black actors in Hollywood.
Regardless, Morris said, “I’m proud to have played a small role in the beginning and to have created a chair for a non-white performer.”
Morris’ undeniable influence on the legendary series is highlighted in the upcoming film “Saturday Night,” which chronicles the show’s debut night. Actor Lamorne Morris, no relation, plays Morris. Even though they haven’t any relationship, Lamorne shared with Washington Post Office as they share what it means to be the only black guy in a solid. Lamorne became famous for playing Winston Bishop, the only black roommate on the hit comedy “New Girl.”
ON “Kelly Clarkson Show”, Lamorne joked about how he grew up telling other people that Garrett Morris was his father. Because of this, Lamorne spent his life imitating Morris on television. He had a lot experience playing Morris for sport that he was in a position to put together an audition tape for the role inside minutes of being asked to submit it.
“I booked it the very next day,” Lamorne said.
He said of Morris: “If you walk into a room with Garrett, he’s the most talented person. He did all the things. The man helped desegregate labor unions. He protested during the Civil Rights Movement. Then he’s on SNL. I mean, you recognize what you call it.