Kate McKinnon didn’t read newspapers until she was hired at SNL

ELLE_July_Kate McKinnon COVER

Kate McKinnon has reached “national treasure” territory, hasn’t she? She’s one of the best parts of Saturday Night Live. She shines in even mediocre comedies. Her spoof of Carol at the Independent Spirit Awards made Cate Blanchett double over in laughter. Kate is cool, she’s hilarious, she’s slightly crazy and she’s really beautiful too. So it’s a joy to see her on the July issue of Elle Magazine. Kate’s promoting Rough Night, which… I still don’t know if I want to see it. The fact that Kate’s a part of it makes me more interested in it. Elle got Tina Fey to interview Kate, and here are Elle’s first highlights:

Tina Fey: Let’s talk about political characters, Kate! How extensively do you follow politics in real life?
Kate McKinnon:
I wasn’t a newspaper person until I got hired here. You have to get ideas from somewhere, and when the election began, I began reading [the New York Times]. Now it’s an everyday thing. When we’re off, I try not to do it as much because you want to have a moment of joy.

Tina Fey: It’s kind of stressful and all-consuming. When you play a person like Kellyanne Conway, what are the advantages of building a character off that person, as opposed to a common character?
Kate McKinnon:
It’s much easier for me to do an impression of someone real, because you and the audience begin with a baseline understanding of this person’s life. And then if you subvert that in any way, it’s a little comedy surprise. That does the bulk of the work for you.

[From Elle]

Okay, well that was sort of boring. I think it’s weird that Kate didn’t follow politics before she got hired for Saturday Night Live. How does that happen? I mean, I get not reading a newspaper every day, but surely she was watching the news or reading stuff online beforehand? Hm. As for Kate’s impression of Kellyanne Conway… I think that’s one of her best ones, actually. Her Kellyanne is actually better than her Hillary.

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Photos courtesy of Paola Kudacki/Elle.

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13 Responses to “Kate McKinnon didn’t read newspapers until she was hired at SNL”

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  1. Aims says:

    Kate was hysterical in that ufo abduction skit with Ryan Gosling ! ! She’s super talented and dare I say, the star of snl right now .

  2. Jegede says:

    Love her so much.

    She deserves better than the projects she’s getting: Ghostbusters, Masterminds, Rough Night.

  3. booRadley says:

    my gawd the editorial pics from that Elle interview. are mind boggingly beautiful. wow!!!!

  4. justcrimmles says:

    She’s a crazy cat lady after my own heart. I’m pretty sure I’d watch her watching paint dry.

  5. Adele Dazeem says:

    I think the following terms/statement are overused but completely apply to her:

    I think she has a light around her, she really is incandescent. She’s unlike other people and it isn’t just beauty. It’s her aura, her vibe, you name it. She seems like such a joyous person.

    Yes I might have a crush. ;

  6. Nimbolicious says:

    I think she’s the most talented comedienne around. Hands down.

  7. DesertReal says:

    I’m not entirely sure she meant it in that way?
    She might have simply watched the news or read it online.
    Then again, I didn’t read her entire interview so it might have been clearer when read in its entirety.

  8. Jen says:

    I love Kate, she steals every scene she’s in and is supremely talented and hilarious. She’s a little kooky (in the best way) and I agree that she just has a quality that draws you in and makes you want to be around her.

  9. detritus says:

    honking for Kate. With heart eyes. I love her so.

  10. Your mom says:

    Her Justine Beiber is hilarious!!! I love her!!!

  11. jmacky says:

    i wish she would do a biopic of Angela Merkel.

  12. Kiki says:

    Love Kate! Inspiration! And Joy!