Leslie Jones Slams “A–hole” Former SNL Director During Podcast Appearance — Recalls Awkward Run-In at 50th Anniversary Special

Comedian Leslie Jones didn’t hold back when recalling an uncomfortable encounter with a former Saturday Night Live director — one she’s long described as “a f–king a–hole.”

During her appearance on Vulture’s Good One Podcast released Thursday (Oct. 30, 2025), the Ghostbusters star, 58, recounted the moment she ran into the unnamed director while co-hosting the red carpet for the SNL 50th Anniversary Special earlier this year.

“First of all, I don’t like him,” Jones began bluntly. “He comes over to me, and you know I don’t like him. He’s like, ‘Oh Leslie, that’s just what happened.’ Shut up — you was a f–king a–hole.” (Vulture).

A Red Carpet Reunion Gone Wrong

According to Jones, the director approached her at the February 2024 celebration at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and asked for a photo together — an idea that instantly irritated her.

“Paul Rudd sees that I don’t like him. So Paul’s like, ‘Oh, I’m enjoying this,’” Jones recalled with a laugh. “Then the guy goes, ‘I want to take a picture with you.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m not taking a f–king picture with you. You’re a piece of s–t.’”

Despite her objections, Rudd — ever the nice guy — snapped the picture between the two former coworkers. “I wanted to kill him,” Jones admitted. “I just said, ‘Get your f–king hand off me.’” (The Hollywood Reporter).

Old Wounds From the SNL Set

This wasn’t the first time Jones has spoken about her tensions with the unnamed director. Earlier this year, on The Toure Show podcast, she called him a “narcissistic d–khead” and claimed their professional relationship soured during a 2017 pre-taped sketch she filmed with fellow cast member Kyle Mooney.

“The guy who would direct those was a f–king a–hole,” she said at the time. “And I don’t give a f–k if you see this — you still are. You were one of those white boys who thought you were doing Shakespeare. No, this is a f–king sketch, and you’re not creating anything beautiful. You’re just being an a–hole with this tedious f–king s–t.” (Rolling Stone).

Jones revealed that during one late-night filming session, she asked to leave after hours of work, but the director refused to let her go — sparking her lasting resentment.

The Reality Behind the SNL Grind

Jones also took the opportunity on the podcast to reflect on the pressures of working on Saturday Night Live, where she was a cast member from 2014 to 2019.

“There’s gonna be good times, bad times, stressful times — it’s any job,” she said. “Now, is SNL a big stress? Yes. It’s mentally and physically hard. That’s why you gotta be ready when you go in there, because it’s a machine.”

She went on to describe SNL as “an institution” — one that doesn’t easily change to fit individual personalities. “I had to realize, I’m not gonna be able to change SNL. I gotta go, because SNL is what SNL is,” she explained.

Despite her criticisms, Jones credited executive producer Lorne Michaels for his unparalleled influence over American comedy. “Lorne is like a puppet master,” she said. “He’s able to get people across the country laughing at the same time — and that’s genius.” (Variety).

From Cast Member to Cultural Force

Since leaving SNL after Season 44, Jones has carved out a thriving career as a stand-up comic, host, and actress. She’s headlined Netflix specials, co-hosted The Daily Show, and published her candid memoir Leslie Fcking Jones* in 2023.

Her trademark outspokenness, once controversial on the SNL stage, has since become her brand. As she told Vulture, “When I left and got cured, I realized — I don’t need to be quiet anymore. You don’t survive that place unless you’re strong.”

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Sources:

• Vulture – “Leslie Jones on the ‘A–hole’ SNL Director Who Tried to Take a Picture with Her” (2025)

• The Hollywood Reporter – “Leslie Jones Details Awkward SNL 50 Encounter with Former Director” (2025)

• Rolling Stone – “Leslie Jones Opens Up About Her Difficult Experience on SNL” (2024)

• Variety – “Leslie Jones Reflects on SNL’s Demanding Culture and Lorne Michaels’ Legacy” (2025)