{"id":2002862,"date":"2025-09-06T22:57:27","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T22:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2002862"},"modified":"2025-09-06T22:57:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T22:57:27","slug":"dana-carvey-says-heidi-gardners-snl-exit-was-not-her-idea-amid-toxic-workplace-accusations-national-enquirer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/dana-carvey-says-heidi-gardners-snl-exit-was-not-her-idea-amid-toxic-workplace-accusations-national-enquirer\/","title":{"rendered":"Dana Carvey Says Heidi Gardner\u2019s \u2018SNL\u2019 Exit Was Not \u2018Her Idea\u2019 Amid \u2018Toxic\u2019 Workplace Accusations \u2013 National Enquirer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dana Carvey<\/strong> opened up about the latest Saturday Night Live<\/em> cast shakeup<\/a> on Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade<\/em>, revealing that Heidi Gardner\u2019s<\/strong> exit may not have been voluntary.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I know as of this recording, [is] that it was not her idea to leave,\u201d Carvey, 70, said on the podcast\u2019s September 3 episode<\/a>. \u201cI could be wrong about that, but that\u2019s what I read.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spade, who appeared on SNL<\/em> for six seasons in the 1990s, said he was surprised to hear of Gardner\u2019s departure. \u201cShe really is one of the core ones you know from that show and she always does a great job,\u201d the comedian, 61, said.<\/p>\n

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Carvey agreed, noting Gardner\u2019s versatility: \u201cShe\u2019s got a likability. She can play real, straight news woman, she can play big, brawn, funny, physical. So I was surprised by that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gardner, 41, joined SNL<\/em> in season 43 as a featured player and was promoted to the main cast in 2019. By season 50, she was the longest-tenured female cast member.<\/p>\n

The celebrity.land<\/em><\/a> confirmed on August 28 that she will not return for season 51, which premieres October 4 on NBC. (Gardner has yet to comment on leaving the show.)<\/p>\n

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The former hairstylist is one of several performers leaving ahead of season 51. Devon Walker<\/strong>, Emil Wakim<\/strong>, and Michael Longfellow<\/strong> are also out, with five newcomers stepping in.<\/p>\n

On his podcast, Carvey praised the departing cast, describing Longfellow as \u201ca really cool, interesting character\u201d and Wakim as \u201cadorable and funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also recalled conversations with Walker, who previously called the show \u201ctoxic,\u201d<\/a> and noted the pressure cast members face. \u201cIt can be emotionally violent depending where you are in the show, or it could be a magic ride,\u201d Carvey said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n