Former “Saturday Night Live” star Maya Rudolph will get her own spin-off variety show, called “The Maya Rudolph Show.” The show will debut on Monday, May 19, a few weeks after the premiere of the “Rosemary’s Baby” mini-series starring Zoe Saldana.
Rudolph will be pulling out all the stops for the throwback one-hour special by showing off her singing ability and comedic skills. The Bridesmaids star called on her SNL alums Andy Samberg, Fred Armisen, and Chris Parnell. Kristen Bell, Chris Parnell, Craig Robinson, and Sean Hayes will also bring laughs.
Electric Lady Janelle Monáe will rock the house as a musical guest, with former Tony! Toni! Toné! singer-producer Raphael Saadiq as the show’s bandleader.
Deadline reports that “The Maya Rudolph Show” is a backdoor pilot that will develop into an ongoing series if all goes well.
Rudolph was one of the more popular cast members from SNL with her impersonations of Beyoncé, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, and Barbra Streisand. Since her departure after a seven-year run, the comedy show has received backlash for the its lack of diversity, specifically women of color. “Scandal” star Kerry Washington spoofed the backlash by playing all the a series of Black characters Michelle Obama to Oprah Winfrey. Afterward, SNL hosted auditions specifically for Black comedians in L.A. and New York.
In January, the show announced they would be adding Sasheer Zamata as a cast member. LaKendra Tookes and Leslie Jones were added to the roster of writers for the stage that may transition to an onscreen role.