Leslie Jones Expresses Frustration with Director at SNL’s 50th Anniversary

Leslie Jones shared her anger after encountering a director she had a conflict with while attending the “SNL 50 Special” red carpet event. This happened in February 2024, years after she left the NBC show in 2019.

“First of all, I don’t like him,” she candidly remarked during an episode of Vulture’s “Good One Podcast,” which aired recently.

Jones recalled the awkward moment when the director approached her, wanting to celebrate the occasion with a photograph. “When he comes to me, I mean, you know I don’t like him. He just showed up like everything was fine,” she said.

The actress, known for her role in “Ghostbusters,” expressed her disdain for the director, describing her irritation when he invited her for a picture while Paul Rudd was nearby, adding a bit of humor to the situation. “Paul’s aware of my feelings, so he’s just enjoying this,” she laughed.

“When the guy asked for a photo, I wasn’t having it. You’re not part of my world, so no way,” she asserted firmly.

Despite the tension, Rudd attempted to capture a photo of the trio, yet Jones found herself increasingly annoyed. “I wanted to kill him, and I just got your hands off me!” she recalled, expressing the frustration that had built up.

Previously, Jones didn’t hold back, labeling the director as a “narcissistic dimwit” who had frustrated her after a grueling day on set back in November 2017.

Reflecting on an earlier encounter, she characterized him as “a terrible person,” emphasizing the emotional toll the role of director had on her during her stint at SNL.

“You’re creating nothing of value. It’s just boring,” she stated bluntly about the sketches he was directing.

Jones also touched on the broader pressures of working in a place like 30 Rock, acknowledging the ups and downs that come with live television. “Sure, there are good times, but there are definitely stressful moments too,” she noted, describing SNL as a challenging environment that requires resilience.

Ultimately, Jones recognized that SNL operates as a well-oiled machine. “I can’t change SNL – it is what it is,” she said, explaining her decision to leave after season 44.

She commended Lorne Michaels for his unique talent in garnering laughter from audiences nationwide, referring to him as a “puppet master” of sorts who orchestrates the humor that defines the show.