Episode 136: How Jewish Women Shaped SNL

From "Jewess Jeans" to "Coffee Talk" to "Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy," Jewish women have left their mark on Saturday Night Live as cast members and as characters. In this episode of Can We Talk? we look at the evolving role of Jewish women on the show over its 50 years on TV. Original cast member Laraine Newman talks about how her Jewish identity influenced the characters she played, and how the show reflects changing attitudes about being Jewish. Also, pop culture scholar Jennifer Caplan helps us dissect some iconic sketches—some of which have aged better than others. 

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Released December 16, 2025
  • Original SNL cast member Laraine Newman, left; American religion and pop culture scholar Jennifer Caplan.

  • Still from "Jewess Jeans" parody ad, which originally aired on Saturday Night Live in 1980. 

  • Still from "Coffee Talk" sketch on Saturday Night Live, starring Mike Myers as Linda Richman. 

  • Still from "Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy" sketch on Saturday Night Live, starring Vanessa Bayer. 

  • SNL Collage - Laraine Newman, Jennifer Caplan
  • Still from SNL "Jewess Jeans" parody ad
  • Mike Myers as Linda Richman on SNL "Coffee Talk" Sketch
  • Still from "Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy" sketch on SNL

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How to cite this page

Jewish Women's Archive. "Episode 136: How Jewish Women Shaped SNL." (Viewed on June 13, 2026) <https://qa.jwa.org/podcasts/canwetalk/episode-136-how-jewish-women-shaped-snl>.