Pike grad Sasheer Zamata eases into new job at 'SNL'

Sasheer Zamata didn't need many spoken lines to make a big impression during her debut episode as a "Saturday Night Live" cast member.

The 2004 Pike High School graduate portrayed pop star Rihanna, as well as an aunt and daughter to characters portrayed by host Drake in Saturday's show that aired on WTHR-13.

Zamata -- the first black woman to join the "SNL" cast since 2007 and only the fifth female black cast member in the show's 39 seasons -- was silent but funny in a skit that imagined Rihanna as the lead actress in a Barbados-based version of 1990s sitcom "Blossom."

In pre-filmed opening credits for the fake "Blossom," Zamata generated laughs as a detached and disinterested Rihanna. She exhaled smoke at the clip's end, implying that bad-girl Rihanna would have a cigarette habit, at the very least, as a child actress.

Zamata's debut may be remembered most for her singing and dancing in a digital short titled "Resolution Revolution." Drake and male "SNL" cast members Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah did poor jobs at New Year's self-improvement while Zamata executed an energetic theme song throughout the bit.

Mostly, "Saturday Night Live" allowed Zamata, daughter of Indianapolis resident Ivory Steward, to ease into her new job with lots of time on camera and minimal responsibility.

Her first line, perhaps destined to become the answer to a trivia question, was "Mazel tov," delivered by "Auntie Rhonda" during a flashback to Drake's bar mitzvah. That proved to be a single-line showing for Zamata, similar to a school detention sketch in which her character took credit for making an inappropriate smartphone image with a classmate.

"SNL," which recently hired two black female writers in conjunction with Zamata's arrival, steered clear of two potentially obvious depictions for the actress: Michelle Obama and Beyonce Knowles.

A sampler of Twitter reactions to Zamata's debut:

>> "The skits were good. Glad the debut wasn't overly obvious. Good job for the newcomer," tweeted @N8tiveDreamr, posting a response to Wendy Williams' call for public opinion.

>> "Generally speaking, I enjoyed @thesheertruth's performances. I just don't think @nbcsnl used her debut well, at all. Do better, #SNL," tweeted @drgoddess.

>> "Drake was fab. Sasheer was funny but didn't get a ton to do on her first night out," tweeted @dreamoforgonon, posting a response to a call for public opinion from hosts of the "Two Brown Girls" podcast.

>> @Tell_DrST tweeted to Zamata, "U did good! SNL needs u ! The comedy is pretty slight so show them how to do it!"

During the show's traditional closing moments, in which the host and cast members sign off while wearing street clothes, Drake stood next to Zamata, congratulated her on the debut and hugged the 27-year-old who as a teenager attended a weekend workshop at ComedySportz Indianapolis.

Zamata gave a symbolic shout-out to the job she just left. The blue "Bucky" button she wore during the show's conclusion paid tribute to her improv team at New York's Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

On Jan. 25, Jonah Hill will host "Saturday Night Live." English band Bastille will perform as the musical guest.

Ten funniest Hoosiers: Will Sasheer someday crack this list?

Parental guidance: Sasheer's mother tells The Star that actress is ready for late-night spotlight.

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.