‘SNL’ loses core cast member after 8 seasons

“Saturday Night Live” is saying goodbye to a longtime cast member.

Heidi Gardner, who joined the show for season 43 in 2017, will not return for season 51, NJ.com can confirm.

Gardner, 42, was a fixture on the show, appearing in more season 50 sketches than any other cast member, according to Variety.

Some fans guessed that Gardner might be gearing up to leave “SNL” based on comments she made during an interview with Craig Ferguson earlier this year.

“I will say, the only thing that I’ve started to feel a little bit is just sketch fatigue, or idea fatigue,” she said. “It does happen some weeks where I’m like ‘I do not have an idea for a sketch, a game, or a character.’ … That’s the only thing that has gotten a little tough.”

Gardner was the fourth “SNL” cast departure announced this week. While Gardner hasn’t yet addressed her exit, her castmates Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow have all spoken out via Instagram.

Walker, who has been on “SNL” since 2022, assured fans via his Instagram story that the news is “good news” for his career.

“It was just time for me to do something different,” he wrote. “Please don’t be hitting me with the ‘i’m so sorry’ we not on that AT ALL. Sometimes mom and dad just don’t see things eye to eye.”

Longfellow, who joined the cast the same year as Walker, and Wakim, who was new for season 50, both seemed more somber in their statements.

“I won’t be returning to snl next year. it was a gut punch of a call to get but i’m so grateful for my time there,” Wakim wrote.

Longfellow’s statement began: “Will not be returning for a 4th season at SNL. Wish I was but, so it goes. It was the best three years of my life so far. I feel nothing but gratitude for the experience and everyone there. [‘SNL’ creator] Lorne [Michaels], you gave me the greatest job in the world and changed my life. You even put my mom on TV. Thank you doesnt begin to cover it, but thank you.”

Season 51 of “Saturday Night Live” premieres on NBC on Saturday, October 4. Past episodes are available to stream on Peacock.

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