'SNL' cast member Nasim Pedrad joins NBC comedy pilot from Lorne Michaels

Credit: NBC

Via: Entertainment Weekly

NBC, in its attempts to salvage its primetime lineup, has begun cannibalizing its own shows to prepare for next season. Take Saturday Night Live, for example...

Nasim Pedrad, a cast member on Saturday Night Live since 2009, has joined an untitled ensemble comedy pilot from comedian John Mulaney and SNL producer Lorne Michaels.

In the comedy, based loosely on Mulaney's life, Pedrad will portray the role of Jane, a "smart but apathetic grade school teacher". Pedrad joins a cast that already includes Martin Short and Elliott Gould, two men with their own SNL histories: Gould has hosted six times while Short is a former cast member and multi-time host himself.

Should the pilot go to series, Pedrad would leave Saturday Night Live, which would be a bit of a shame for the show since SNL is always in need of reliably funny women. However, the sketch-comedy series has prepared a bit for this contingency by loading up its roster of "featured" players with dependable comediennes like Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong, alongside Pedrad and fellow cast member Vanessa Bayer. That said, it's hard to imagine Pedrad's absence won't be felt. A fearful nation asks, who will play Arianna Huffington now?!