"As Saturday Night Live nears the end of its summer vacation, a slew of beloved cast members say they've already taken their final bows ahead of the show's 51st season. Performers Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim, as well as writer Celeste Yim, announced their departures on social media. Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and other outlets confirmed that Heidi Gardner is leaving the show after eight seasons."
"SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels, who has the final say over hiring and firing decisions, told Puck last week that with the golden anniversary now in the rearview, it's time to shake things up. "I wanted people coming back and being part [of the 50th season]," he said, in his first interview since the season ended. "And that meant there couldn't be those kind of disruptions [to the cast] or anything that was going to take the focus off the [the 50th season].""
Saturday Night Live is losing several cast members ahead of its 51st season, including performers Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim and writer Celeste Yim, with Heidi Gardner confirmed to be leaving after eight seasons. Lorne Michaels said the 50th season's celebrations are complete and indicated a desire to change the cast mix to avoid disruptions and refocus the show following the election. James Austin Johnson will remain to continue his Trump impersonation. The program returns Oct. 4 without the departed cast. Gardner joined in 2017, was promoted in 2019, and became known for original Weekend Update characters.
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