“Saturday Night Live” star Ego Nwodim’s bit during a recent episode led to an unexpected response from the audience that nearly left her, Colin Jost and Michael Che speechless.
On the April 5 episode of the NBC sketch comedy series — which was hosted by Jack Black with musical guests Elton John and Brandi Carlile — Nwodim appeared alongside Jost and Che in a “Weekend Update” segment that had to be censored due to a funny, unscripted moment.
Nwodim, who was playing herself, joined the “news anchors” to discuss reports by Variety and other publications about comedian Amber Ruffin no longer performing at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, set for later this month.
Ego Nwodim, Colin Jost and Michael Che during “Weekend Update” in the April 5 episode of “Saturday Night Live”Saturday Night Live / Instagram
During the skit, Nwodim suggested that she should be hired to emcee the dinner so she could poke fun at the menu. But when she launched into her comedy set as her standup persona “Ms. Eggy,” she switched topics and began delivering jokes about relationships and her dating life.
She started encouraging the crowd for a call-and-response reaction to her quips. “This Ms. Eggy, and Ms. Eggy don’t what?” she asked.
“Play!” the live studio audience replied.
Nwodim went on to reference Sen. Cory Booker’s record-setting speech in front of the Senate last week.
“Cory Booker out here with his filibuster. Shoot, I’ve had my fill of busters. Because these men ain’t what?” she said before extending the microphone to the crowd.
During the East Coast airing of the episode, the crowd replied, “s—!,” according to Deadline and videos of the moment on social media, causing Nwodim, Jost and Che to look stunned.
Nwodim rolled with the unplanned reaction and referenced “SNL’s” creator and producer Lorne Michaels.
“We finna get fined for that,” Nwodim continued as Jost and Che doubled over in laughter. “Y’all gonna have to pay for that. Lorne’s gonna be mad at y’all.”
Jost and Che breaking character during Nwodim’s standup routine.Saturday Night Live / YouTube
She said the answer she was looking for was, “Worth a damn, sucker!”
Although the audience’s cursing wasn’t censored when the episode aired on the East Coast, Deadline reported that the moment has since been removed from “SNL”’s social media platforms and was not heard on other feeds due to a time delay.
In a YouTube clip of the segment, the crowd’s answer is bleeped out, but Jost and Che still gasp while Nwodim predicts a fine from the Federal Communications Commission could be on the way.
“In conclusion, thank you White House for having a b—-!” Nwodim added before the skit ended. “Ms. Eggy don’t what? Play!”
Fans on X and YouTube applauded the sketch and Nwodim’s ad-libbing after the crowd cursed.
“This goes to show how much of a rhythm stand up comedy really is. Ego fell into character and the audience followed her lead. Just hilarious,” one tweeted.
Another said, “Ego Nwodim just entered the SNL Hall of Fame. #MrsEggy #SNL.”
On YouTube, one viewer commented, “How dare you censor it. That was one of the best moments of the season.”
Others agreed and hoped to see Ms. Eggy return to “Weekend Update” soon. “Ive never seen Michael Che laugh this hard during an Update before!!! We 100% need more of Ms. Eggy!” another said.
A third wrote, “Ego is incredible and this was one of the best update feature in ages!”
