Can you talk to me in general about the theme of this seasons opening?
In the first season, I really wanted to focus on the magical reality of the show.
In season 2, we didA Different Worldopening credits, obviously a huge homage.
Tina Thorpe/HBO
It was a fun way to introduce our new cast as well as our OGs.
DEADLINE: Lets get into that.
You have three new cast members in DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, and Angel Laketa Moore.
DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, and Angel Laketa Moore inA Black Lady Sketch ShowTina Thorpe/HBO
How did you find them?
THEDE:So many women impressed us in the audition process.
Weve only ever done two auditions, one in season 2 and one in season 4.
We dont audition our guest stars.
People always go like, How can I audition?
Im like, You cant.
I just call people and give them a job.
I cant believe it.
I just turned 24!
We were like, When?
She was like, Now!
We were like, What the f**k?
Angel has been in this business a long time, and we love her.
Ive always been a fan of hers.
So, she just came in and blew us away.
Tamara Jade came fromThe Voiceand had the most incredible voice of anyone Ive heard in person.
Shes so dope, but shes also got these comedy chops that are out of this world.
DEADLINE: Youre a trailblazer who created a sketch comedy comprised of Black women.
Did you imagine this longevity when you sat down to work on the show?
What has this experience getting to season 4 been like for you?
THEDE:Its been a dream to have created four seasons of television, a miracle.
Nothing stays on for four seasons anymore.
As for the future of the show, I want this to be an institution that goes on forever.
If people watch, then we stay on.
God forbid I die tomorrow; I would hope that this show continues.
Thats why its not calledA Robin Thede Sketch Show; its calledA Black Lady Sketch Show.
And in my heart of hearts, I always held hope that wed be here, you know?
If you think, Oh, well, this will never win, then you might not.
But Im wondering, how do you continue to outdo yourself?
How do you continue to elevate the show as it goes along?
Even in between seasons, like yesterday, I had a great idea for a sketch.
DEADLINE: Whats currently funny to you right now?
Anything youve consumed to help you stay relevant?
THEDE:I watch everything.
I consume everything fromSuccessiontoSwarmand all points in between; I watch it all.
Im a fan of TV.
Ive always been a fan of TV.
Something that can come into your home and entertain you is its so much more accessible than film.
You know what I mean?
THEDE:Its a subversion of the stereotypes that keeps us excited, you know?
Its not playing the stereotypical sketch or character that people think were going to.
I think that thats fun.
I love looking at things from a new perspective and trying things on their head.
I think thats what we make a run at do certainly with our show.
DEADLINE: As always, you have a plethora of great guest stars.
Colman Domingo, though is certainly the highlight of this season.
Can you discuss collaborating with these stars and how that Colman Domingo sketch came about?
THEDE:Im glad you said that because he is literally so good.
Im like, He needs a guest Emmy.
Theres just so many great surprises, and we break them all.
Every one of them gives you something unexpected.
Kel Mitchell, this is his second season with us, and Im just in awe.
Im in awe of how talented he is, and he brings something different every time he shows up.
He was like, No, no, no.
I really want to do this.
Im like, All right.
Tracy Ellis Ross, Ive been stalking for years.
HerBlack-ishschedule was the same time as ours, so it always prevented her.
So, this year, we finally got her, and she was well worth the wait.
So, giving, and Colman Domingo, I agree with you.
He is the highlight of this season for me.
Hes just impeccable at everything.
This will remind people that he came from comedy roots and he was just so game to play.
So much of that sketch is not scripted.
DEADLINE: The two of you singing Wade in the Water was just hilarious.
THEDE:I dont know exactly how that happened, but it happened in one take.
Most of the jokes in that sketch happened in one take, and he never broke.
I honestly dont think he ruined a single take.
you might see my back kind of jerks like Im laughing.
But then I get right back into it because that was the only take.
Its that kind of magic you just cant recreate in a second take.
I was like, Holy, this is so good.
I was filming it with him, and I was like, This is so good.
It was just one after the other, and he never flinched.
I cant wait for people to see it.
It was so much fun.
A Black Lady Sketch Showairs every Friday on HBO and HBOMax.
