Two Saturday Night Live cast members are bidding farewell to Studio 8H.
Ahead of the NBC sketch comedy show’s milestone 50th season, Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney announced they will not be returning for new episodes.
‘Yall that’s a wrap on my time on SNL!’ Kearney, 32, captioned a post on Friday. ‘Reflecting on the amazing 2 seasons I got on this show, it was such a dream come true.
‘So incredibly grateful for this period in my life. So much love to all my big hearted buddies behind the scenes who make the magic happen every week. So many bald caps, so little time.
‘It was a true 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 NBC sketch comedy show’s milestone 50th season, Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney announced they will not be returning to Saturday Night Live
‘SNL I LOVE YOU… LOOKING FORWARD TO WHATS NEXT!!! #snl #49 PUNKIE OUT!!!!’ Johnson captioned a video. ‘Yall that’s a wrap on my time on SNL!’ Kearney, 32, captioned a post on Friday
‘Special shout out to my day 1 crew,’ wrote Kearney of her co-stars Marcello Hernandez, Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow, who joined the show with her during season 48 in 2022.
‘Head up and heart out! Harold forever!!!!!’ she added.
Johnson, 39, who has been part of the cast since season 46 in 2020, announced her departure in a video on Thursday.
‘SNL I LOVE YOU… LOOKING FORWARD TO WHATS NEXT!!! #snl #49 PUNKIE OUT!!!!’ she captioned the post.
‘What’s up family,’ Johnson started in the clip. ‘I just want to let y’all know, after four seasons, I will not be returning to SNL for the 50th.’
The comedian recalled that she accidentally spilled the news that ‘I ain’t coming back’ when an audience member at a stand-up show recently asked what she’s most looking forward to about season 50.
‘There’s no bad blood, there’s no bridges burned, there’s no hard feelings,’ she clarified. ‘Bro, I love my people. I ain’t think none of this was gonna be a big deal.
‘See, this is why Dave Chappelle makes people lock up their phones [at his shows],’ joked Johnson.
In all earnestness, Johnson added, ‘But SNL has been a dream I didn’t even know that I could achieve. Man, I was a part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy, and I am so grateful for it.
‘Special shout out to my day 1 crew,’ wrote Kearney 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’s ‘no bad blood’ with the show or co-stars
‘That’s still my people. I love them. I’m gonna be at the afterparties, acting a plum fool,’ she continued.
‘But my time there has come to an end, and Punkie outside now y’all,’ added Johnson. ‘But I love y’all and I appreciate all y’all. Peace.’
Their departures from the cast come after Maya Rudolph was announced to reprise her impersonation of Kamala Harris through the presidential election, according to Deadline.
Meanwhile, SNL creator Lorne Michaels has addressed rumors he’s considering retiring from the show he launched in 1975.
‘I’m going to do it as long as I feel I can do it,’ Michaels, 79, told The New York Times in June. ‘But I rely on other people and always have.’
Season 50 of Saturday Night Live premieres Sept. 28 on NBC.