Heidi Gardner Exits SNL After Eight Seasons
With just a few weeks left before the new season, more changes are on the way for “Saturday Night Live.”
Heidi Gardner is officially exiting the cast, making them the third and fourth exits in the space of a week.
Heidi wraps up her eighth season, which featured her trademark nerve-wracked characters and the viral “Angel” sketch—where every underdog boxer’s girlfriend just proves she’s the hardest of them all.
Longfellow clocks out after three years, remembered for his clever one-liners and speedy impressions. Their announcements follow earlier departures this week.
On Monday, Devon Walker hopped on his Instagram to say he’s leaving the show, calling the work atmosphere “toxic as hell” at times.
After three seasons, Walker described his time at the studio as a “little marriage,” explaining, “Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was honestly really cool.”
Just two days later, Emil Wakim followed by telling his followers he’s done as well. He admitted it “was a gut punch of a call” to get dropped but added, “I’m so grateful for my time there.” Wakim spent only one season there.
Every summer, the show seems to accept a fresh wave of cast changes before the new year.
Last week, “SNL” boss Lorne Michaels confirmed to “Puck” that “major changes” to the cast and crew are on the way. Viewers can expect announcements soon to see who’s joining for the 51st season.
Devon Walker Wraps Up ‘SNL’ After Three Seasons: ‘It Was Fun. It Was Toxic. We Made a Weird Family’
After three roller-coaster seasons, Devon Walker has called it quits at “Saturday Night Live.”
He dropped the surprise on Instagram Monday, mixing love letters with caution signs. A slide features the tidied-up note: “Me and the show did three years together. Sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. We made the most of what it was, even amidst all the dysfunction. We made a fucked-up lil family.”
The screenshot even drops the guessing game of leave versus fired: the witty title at the top reads, “wait..did he quit or did he get fired?” If Walker picked the door or the door picked him, it’s still one big cliffhanger. The rest of the post is equal parts nostalgia and giggles:
it shows him and the gang in casual moments, one shot of he texting “I’m out” with an emoji of a tiny party hat, and the wildest flex—the split-second still of Biden wobbling on a slick staircase.
He posted the pics with the caption, “me and baby broke up.”
Walker stepped onto “SNL” as a featured player in Season 48, then got the bump up to repertory cast for Seasons 49 and 50. Before that gig, he spent time penning jokes for “Big Mouth” on Netflix and “Everything’s Trash” over on Freeform.
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Here’s the full statement he dropped:
To me, jobs in this game feel like a bunch of mini marriages. Some hit the milestone anniversary if you’re blessed, but most fizzle out as quick as your bar tab. “Permanent” until your boss throws you a going-away cake. You feel me? You know that’s the vibe when you sign the W-9.
Me and the show had a three-year fling. Some days we were a vibe, other days more like toxic bed bugs. But we played the hand we were dealt, dysfunction and all. Ended up making a dysfunctional little sitcom family.
Honestly, I’m just grateful I ran it with Gary and Alex. N—- went from low-key bar stage to 30 Rock like it was a Tuesday. Wild flex. And in that pic I’m looking caked.
Anyway, I’m off to Japan! When I’m back, I want to land a big-time drama—fingers crossed it’s with Julianne Moore. Hope everyone’s sipping enough water and stacking some coins today.
