'SNL' Star Sarah Sherman Finally Speaks Out About That Aimee Lou Wood Joke

Sarah Sherman exploded onto SNL with the confidence of someone who has always belonged there. Not only does she fit perfectly into the style of the show, but she also does so without losing what makes her funny and unique. Sure, she isn’t making a small intestine explode into her name spelled out in blood with bloody eyeballs hanging from their sockets, but look, that meatballs sketch is pretty damn close. She’s also maintained her signature style and wit, and she has done so in a way that makes her look like the future of the show.

Plenty of people who do well on the show move on to film and television, and it’s not like Sherman isn’t appearing elsewhere. She recently fulfilled two lifelong dreams by appearing on General Hospital and getting killed by Chucky (in the White House, no less). She’s just taken to the show too perfectly, and it’s begun to mold around her as well. Her “Weekend Update” segments are incredible. She’s been able to disappear or stand out in different sketches, as a wonderful supporting character and star. She’s even (unintentionally) courted controversy.

Sherman appeared in a sketch parodying The White Lotus titled The White Potus. While Sherman is not in it for very long, her part stood out. She appears onscreen, mocking actress and White Lotus castmember Aimee Lou Wood by wearing big fake teeth and pretending not to know what fluoride is. Wood was not a fan. “I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny,” the actress posted online. “Yes, take the piss for sure—that’s what the show is about—but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?”

It would be easy for any comedian to claim that Wood couldn’t take a joke. That isn’t a defense; it just seems to be how these things usually play out. Instead, Sherman took the high road. She sent Wood flowers, which the actress appreciated, and did not discuss the incident. But, in a talk with Vanity Fair, Sherman commented on the whole ordeal in a way you’d expect from the fantastic comedian.

“I was excited to play her because she’s so iconic, her character is so iconic, and I f***ing obviously never meant to hurt anyone’s feelings,” Sherman explained to VF’s David Canfield. “Never in a million years did I get into comedy to make anyone upset. I feel terrible that anyone would feel bad.” Hindsight is 20/20, but it is nice to see Sherman take the high road as opposed to doubling down. We already knew she apologized privately to Wood (which is the classy thing to do), but reiterating her feelings is still a kind thing to do.

I look forward to years of Sherman on SNL. I’ll be happy for her if she moves on, but she’s perfect for the show. She admits in the Vanity Fair piece that the show has made her stretch her talents (in a good way), but I would argue her talents have stretched the show as well. Sherman came aboard as a new and exciting comedian, and she’s avoided losing that aspect of herself. Hiccups like making fun of Aimee Lou the way she did will happen, but I don’t see it breaking Sherman’s stride.