'Lisa From Temecula' Returns To SNL: A Household Name Or Local Shame?

TEMECULA, CA —Whether residents love or hate it, the new "Saturday Night Live" character "Lisa From Temecula," portrayed by actress and comedian Ego Nwodim, appears to be here to stay.

The "Lisa From Temecula" bit is written by three SNL writers: Alex English, Gary Richardson and Michael Che, and the skits are performed by Nwodim and the ensemble cast. Lisa from Temecula likes her steak well done, would rather have ranch dressing than balsamic and isn't afraid of offering any opinion to anyone.

Whether Nwodim's portrayal of a Temecula resident is accurate or bizarre is up in the air, according to locals.

Lisa first appeared in a sketch at a restaurant with friends, including the actor Pedro Pascal. That skit —combined with a physical comedy gag where she attempted to carve up an "extra extra extra well-done" steak, knocking everything over in the process— had multiple cast members breaking character, laughing despite themselves, and struggling to finish the scene.

Lisa From Temecula made her second appearance on SNL Saturday, seated with friends at a table, wearing her trademark hot pink dress, and this time avoiding E. coli by over-dressing her salad at a wedding.

Once again, she performed her table-knocking food prep, and things went flying.

Temecula residents took to Facebook groups to weigh in and comment on the skits. Several claimed it wasn't funny, while a handful reported being offended that the character has ties to the Southwest Riverside County town.

Still, others suggested how Lisa could behave more like a Temecula woman (Hear that, SNL?).

"If she was wearing LuLu Lemon or carrying around a Starbucks cup, she may be more believable as truly from Temecula," one resident said.

Local business owner Tony Zepeda may be on to something, however, suggesting there might be a connection to the city somehow, an 'Easter egg' that nods to our tiny town.

Much of Temecula is missing the point, according to Temecula resident and Zepeda Graphics Design owner Tony Zepeda.

"It's funny how everyone wants to add more meaning than what it is. It is just an 'Easter Egg' by one of the writers that may have a connection to our town," he said. "It has nothing to do with the characters and the skit."

Regardless if you enjoyed it or were embarrassed by it, as Zepeda told Patch, you get out of a comedy show what you bring in with you.

"It has no reflection on our town. It is just a funny skit, nothing about stereotypes," Zepeda said. "It's just a funny character by a funny actress. It is us trying to interject our own issues and ideas on something they just created to be funny. We need to lighten up and enjoy things for what they are and nothing more. "