Following Ego Nwodim's exit from "Saturday Night Live" after seven seasons, Sherri Shepherd is calling on the long-running sketch show to prioritize casting a Black woman as soon as possible.

During her Monday, Oct. 6 episode of "Sherri," the daytime talk show host said Nwodim's absence from the "SNL" Season 51 premiere on Oct. 4 did not go unnoticed.

"She was their only black female cast member. So now there's no Black women on 'SNL.' So what I say to SNL, y'all gotta hurry up and you gotta find somebody," Shepherd said. "This is a break glass in case of an emergency. It is an emergency. It's so important. We gotta have representation on that show."

The "Straw" actress recounted her time as a co-host for "The View" when Kenan Thompson portrayed Whoopi Goldberg during an "SNL" skit because there were no other Black female cast members.

"And then there was no Black woman to play me, so I was never sitting at the table. Then they had the nerve, when Tracy Morgan guest hosted, Tracy Morgan played me," she said. "That was supposed to be me. They had Tracy Morgan in that old, tired, Shake-n-go wig. Looking like he sits third row at church and serves the dinners after service."

Shepherd said she understands the show is in the process of finding its footing, but added that there are plenty of Black female comics waiting for a life-changing opportunity such as working on "SNL."

The host gave special shout outs to comedians who have appeared on her show, including Tacarra Williams, B-Phlat and Yamaneika Saunders. "And those are just three women who came on my show and were hysterical. So many more, including my comedy producer, Robin Montague. She is a comedy legend who keeps up laughing all day long," she added. "So, 'SNL,' do not disappoint us."

Nwodim, who joined the show as a featured player in 2018 for Season 44, was one of several cast members to depart from "SNL" following its milestone 50th season. She announced her exit in an Instagram post on Sept. 12.

"I am immensely grateful to Lorne (Michaels) for the opportunity; to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship," Nwodim wrote. "Week after week on that stage taught me more than I could have ever imagined, and I will carry those memories (and that laughter) with me always now invite me to your weddings please!!"

Multiple performers joined the "SNL" cast for the new season, including Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sherri Shepherd wants 'SNL' to hire more Black women after Ego Nwodim's exit

Reporting by Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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