Leslie Jones killed her Daily Show debut with her take on the MLK statue (Picture: Daily Show)
Leslie Jones hilariously mocked the questionable newly erected Dr Martin Luther King Jr statue (which really must be seen to be believed) during her The Daily Show hosting debut.
The former Saturday Night Live star, 55, opened with a monologue that analysed the erotic-looking sculpture of the civil rights activist, which was inspired by the famous photograph of him learning he’d won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
The 20ft bronze Boston artwork titled ‘The Embrace’, which cost a staggering $10million (£8million), consists of four intertwined arms… and unfortunately seems to accidentally resemble a sex act.
‘Has anyone in here ever been e*ten out?’ Leslie began, prompting a fierce outburst of laughter.
‘I’m serious, I’m serious has anyone participated in the munching munch munch munch?’ she continued. ‘Because they celebrating you right now. They celebrating you in Boston right now.’
The Embrace statue was unveiled in Boston this week (Picture: Getty)
The statue is said to have cost $10million (Picture: Getty)
‘Listen, I know Dr King went down in history, but this is not how you show it,’ she added.
As she went on, Leslie added: ‘White people, you don’t need to be saying sh*t about this statue. Do you understand? Black hands only.
‘You need to sit your ass in the back of the bus for this one. You need to honour this statue. This is our civil rights icon going down on his wife.’
The bronze sculpture was based on the famous photo of Dr King hugging his wife Coretta during a news conference following the announcement that he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (Picture: Getty)
She then said: ‘OK, Black people… We got to talk about this because you know it’s messed up when Black people and the Proud Boys hate the same statue.’
Viewers were in hysterics over Leslie’s hot take and flocked to Twitter amid their laughter, with one writing: ‘I literally spit out my drink!!’
‘Did they make this statue because they knew Leslie Jones was going to host The Daily Show?? This is hilarious,’ another enthused.
And of course, many were asking for Leslie to become a regular fixture, including this fan who tweeted: ‘Can she just be the permanent host, please and thank you?’
Leslie is one of many celebrity hosts lined up to present The Daily Show following the departure of Trevor Noah last month.
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Other comedians due to take on the temporary role include Wanda Sykes, DL Hughley, Chelsea Handler, and Sarah Silverman.
Leslie will host The Daily Show for the rest of the week, with her fellow guest presenters also taking week-long stints thereafter.
It comes after Trevor’s departure from the show, having been the host for seven years.
In his final episode, broadcast in December last year, the South African comedian became emotional and thanked his viewers and the Black women who had ‘shaped and nourished me’ throughout his life and career.
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‘Listen, I know Dr King went down in history, but this is not how you show it.’
