Tracy Morgan on SNL's Race and Inclusivity

In the new Peacock docuseries 'SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,' Tracy Morgan discusses feeling culturally isolated during his early years on 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL). Joining the show in 1996, Morgan felt that as an inner-city kid from the Bronx, his Black cultural perspective was not fully embraced by the predominantly white show. After a conversation with SNL creator Lorne Michaels, who encouraged him to focus on his comedic talent rather than his race, Morgan began to feel more at home. Morgan was the ninth Black cast member on SNL, following notable predecessors like Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock. His reflections highlight broader discussions about race and inclusivity on the long-running show, as echoed by other cast members like Damon Wayans. The docuseries not only revisits past cast experiences but also celebrates SNL's impact over the last 50 years.