Comedian Ronni Ancona has recently expressed her support for actress Aimee Lou Wood following a controversial sketch on Saturday Night Live that mocked Wood's appearance. During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Ancona, 56, shared her thoughts on the sketch, which featured exaggerated fake teeth and a pronounced accent, leading Wood to label it as mean-spirited and unfunny.
"Full disclaimer, I think she's amazing, I think she's unbelievably talented. Very funny and very talented and very beautiful actually. I do have an element of sympathy with her," Ancona remarked, noting that she had watched the entire sketch. She highlighted that while most of the sketch was centered around political satire, the segment featuring Wood was an exception. "All the elements are political satire, then Aimee Lou isn't, it's the only element where it's not about a politician," Ancona explained.
Ronni speculated that the writers of the sketch intended to draw a connection between Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-fluoride stance and the theme of teeth. She stated, "It was a bit of a cheap shot, really, because she's quite right. I'm no dentist, but I don't think fluoride changes the shape of your teeth. I think she's got beautiful teeth." Ancona also pointed out that Wood fell victim to a tired stereotype about British people having bad teeth, a trope that many have grown tired of.
During the conversation, Ancona reflected on her own career, particularly her time on Big Impression, a show known for its celebrity impersonations. The hosts, Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, revisited some of Ancona's iconic sketches, prompting a discussion about whether such portrayals would still resonate today. When asked about her impersonation of Victoria Beckham, Ancona candidly admitted, "Funny enough, I regret some of the- I mean Victoria Beckham. Listen, we sort of caught the zeitgeist right in the beginning of this big celebrity culture that was emerging."
She elaborated on how she once imagined what Beckham would say at home with her husband, David Beckham. However, Ancona noted that the current landscape of social media makes such parodies more challenging. "You wouldn't be able to do that these days because of the advent of social media, everybody knows what everybody is going all the time! That's what makes parody and satire very difficult to do these days," she said.
Moreover, Ancona mentioned that she has become more cautious about including physical appearances in her sketches. The comedian's reflections come at a time when discussions around humor and sensitivity in comedy are increasingly relevant.
As the conversation wrapped up, Ancona's support for Wood and her insights into the evolving nature of comedy resonated with viewers. BBC Breakfast continues to air weekdays on BBC One from 6am, providing a platform for discussions on topical issues in the entertainment industry.
