James Austin Johnson Reveals One Impression He Keeps Getting Turned Down From Doing On 'Saturday Night Live'
James Austin Johnson has one impression he really wants to do on Saturday Night Live, but keeps getting told no.
The 36-year-old actor and comedian has been a featured player on the sketch show for four years, and has delivered several impressions, most notably Donald Trump.
During a panel last year, James revealed one person he keeps pitching to impersonate on SNL, but repeatedly gets turned down, despite getting laughs in sketch planning meetings.
Keep reading to find out more…
At the panel, former cast member Fred Armisen said he couldn’t do his Ira Glass impersonation on SNL because “it was explained to me that he wasn’t famous enough,” and James related.
“Fred, I get that a lot at the table,” he said, via EW. “I get that a lot. ‘Why are we doing this, honey?’ Because I do the voice. ‘Yeah, nobody gives a sh-t.’”
The impersonation? “Longtime Rolling Stone editor David Fricke.”
“I’ve done it so many times. It’s always a resounding no from everyone in the room,” James shared, when his co-stars noted that they laugh at it.
“You laugh, you laugh because it’s like, ‘Oh, look at James, he’s doing his little cartwheel for us,’” he says. “It’s my best voice. It’s my best impression. I nailed that guy. It’s just, you know, that people don’t want to see it.”
If you missed it, find out when SNL returns and who will be the next host and musical guest!