Two Saturday Night Live cast members say goodbye to Studio 8H.
Ahead of the 50th season of the NBC sketch comedy show, Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney announced that they will not be returning for new episodes.
“Guys, that’s it for my time on SNL!” Kearney, 32, wrote in the caption of one video. mail Friday. ‘As I reflect on the incredible 2 seasons I had on this show, it was a dream come true.
‘I’m incredibly grateful for this period of my life. Much love to all my big-hearted friends behind the scenes who make the magic happen every week. So many bald spots, so little time.
“It was a real honor to work with such a talented group of writers and don’t even get me started on the cast,” she added.
Ahead of the 50th season of the NBC sketch comedy show, Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney announced that they will not be returning to Saturday Night Live.
“SNL I LOVE YOU… I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT’S NEXT!!! #snl #49 PUNKIE OUT!!!!,” Johnson wrote in the caption of a video. “Guys that’s it for my time on SNL!” Kearney, 32, wrote in the caption of a Friday post.
“Special thanks to my Day 1 crew,” Kearney wrote of her co-stars Marcello Hernandez, Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow, who joined the show with her during season 48 in 2022.
“Head held high and heart held high! Harold forever!” he added.
Johnson, 39, who has been a part of the cast since season 46 in 2020, announced his departure in a video on Thursday.
“SNL I LOVE YOU… I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT’S NEXT!!! #snl #49 PUNKIE OUT!!!!” she wrote in the caption. mail.
“What’s up, folks?” Johnson began in the clip. “I just want you to know that after four seasons, I will not be returning to SNL for the 50th.”
The comedian recalled accidentally blurting out the news that she “won’t be back” when an audience member at a stand-up show recently asked her what she was most looking forward to about season 50.
“There’s no hard feelings, no bridges burned, no hard feelings,” he clarified. “Brother, I love my people. I didn’t think any of this was going to be a big deal.
“See, this is why Dave Chappelle makes people lock their phones (at his shows),” Johnson joked.
In all honesty, Johnson added, “But SNL has been a dream that I didn’t even know I could achieve. Man, I was a part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy and I’m so grateful for that.”
“Special thanks to my Day 1 crew,” Kearney wrote of her co-stars Marcello Hernandez, Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow, who joined the show with her during season 48 in 2022.
Johnson, 39, who has been part of the cast since season 46 in 2020, said there is “no bad blood” with the show or his co-stars.
“They’re still my people. I love them. I’ll be at the after parties, making a fool of myself,” he continued.
“But my time there has come to an end, and Punkie is out now,” Johnson added. “But I love you all and appreciate you all. Peace.”
Their departures from the cast come after it was announced that Maya Rudolph would reprise her portrayal of Kamala Harris until the presidential election, according to Deadline.
Meanwhile, SNL creator Lorne Michaels has addressed rumours that he is considering retiring from the show he launched in 1975.
“I’ll keep doing it as long as I feel like I can do it,” Michaels, 79, told The New York Times in June. “But I rely on other people and I always have.”
Saturday Night Live’s 50th season premieres September 28 on NBC.