Changes are starting to happen at Saturday Night Live ahead of its upcoming 50th season.

Punkie Johnson has left SNL after four seasons.

Full details here: https://t.co/36rT5wusoN pic.twitter.com/WzqBCVyZAL

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) August 1, 2024

IMO, not a big loss.

She must have been mad she didn't get the Kamala feature gig, and they're bringing Maya back instead.

She had played it when Maya didn't.

Maya was very funny as Kamala previously, and obviously is great in general, but I've never loved the idea of bringing in outside talent just for one role like that.

Setting aside that I thought Jim Carrey did a poor job as Biden, it limits the flexibility of the show to react to the news of the week. If they aren't there every week it's way harder to stay topical and do skits that are truly funny vs forcing it in because you have your guest star one week but maybe not the next.

That seems to be why she pushed her Apple show back- so that she IS available every week. Her show could work around a couple of one-offs.

Fey was very active as Palin, as only a VP, though that was an entirely different thing.

And now a second person who you almost never saw is leaving SNL...

https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/molly-kearney-leaving-snl-1236094326/

Marcelo better stay.

No offense to Johnson or Kearney personally, but I never found either funny, so no big losses there.

Sounds like Michaels might be getting rid of all the dead weight.

Lorne hates lesbians.

TCTTS said:

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No offense to Johnson or Kearney personally, but I never found either funny, so no big losses there.

Sounds like Michaels might be getting rid of all the dead weight.

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I thought Kearney was funny playing male characters (Terry Bradshaw comes to mind), but other than that pretty meh

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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Marcelo better stay.

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Keep Marcelo and give us more Longfellow

It's always interesting how close to the beginning of the season these changes seem to be made. Wonder why it takes so long to make the moves each summer?

Also, do y'all think that this will be Lorne's last season? Going out on Season 50 would be tempting.

As much as I love Michaels, I'm hoping he calls it quits after 50, as the show definitely needs some new blood at the top, maybe needs to try some new things, etc.

As for why it takes so long to make moves each year, I think the second a season is over it's a lot like the last day of school, everyone peaces the hell out, and then the bigger names have movies lined up to film for the summer, etc. So it's not until August/September that the dust settles and the gears start turning again.

Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Lorne hates lesbians.

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Don't tell him about Kate McKinnon please.

TCTTS said:

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As much as I love Michaels, I'm hoping he calls it quits after 50, as the show definitely needs some new blood at the top, maybe needs to try some new things, etc.

As for why it takes so long to make moves each year, I think the second a season is over it's a lot like the last day of school, everyone peaces the hell out, and then the bigger names have movies lined up to film for the summer, etc. So it's not until August/September that the dust settles and the gears start turning again.

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I mean, he auditioned Lisa Gilroy and didn't hire her.

TCTTS said:

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As much as I love Michaels, I'm hoping he calls it quits after 50, as the show definitely needs some new blood at the top, maybe needs to try some new things, etc.

As for why it takes so long to make moves each year, I think the second a season is over it's a lot like the last day of school, everyone peaces the hell out, and then the bigger names have movies lined up to film for the summer, etc. So it's not until August/September that the dust settles and the gears start turning again.

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The show doesn't have a long production schedule either. My understanding is each episodes starts as a completely blank slate on Tuesday so they can keep it topical. Tuesday also gives the cast time to recovery from the previous episode's wrap party.

I would have dropped those 2 the same season they joined, they have no aptitude for doing sketch comedy.
Devon Walker is the third of the people who just actually are not capable of doing it and I dont understand how they got on SNL.

I also don't think Sarah Sherman is very good at it either, but people seem to like her.
I do think she is funny, just not good at sketches.

It's always hit or miss with stand-ups joining the show.

And I actually really like Sherman, but can definitely see how she might not be for everyone

Sarah Sherman is great at annoying Colin on Weekend Update.

Lorne Michaels offered Steve Martin the Tim Walz 'SNL' gig this morning, per @GlennWhipp. Martin declined. “I said, ‘Lorne, I’m not an impressionist. You need someone who can really nail the guy.’ I was picked because I have gray hair and glasses.”https://t.co/cGx5JpU5W1

— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) August 7, 2024

Saturday Night Live has added three new cast members for its 50th season: Emil Wakim, Ashley Padilla, and Jane Wickline. Chloe Troast departs from the show after one season. https://t.co/jnN6SkWHvy

— Vulture (@vulture) September 10, 2024

We'll be seeing more of #MarcelloHernandez, #MichaelLongfellow & #DevonWalker on 'SNL'. After two years as featured players, the three have been promoted to the main cast https://t.co/UjbQK7bUPh pic.twitter.com/AEImcrMwh4

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 10, 2024

Marcello is the best current cast member imo.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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Marcello is the best current cast member imo.

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Dismukes is the best in my book, but Marcello is up there.

Longfellow is great too when they give actually give him something good.

Devon Walker is a dud. I wouldn't have been surprised if he was gone

Dismukes is my second favorite and gets high marks for his Cane's sketch.

Outside of Keaton and Mulaney that's pretty lackluster imo.

Also really surprised no Nikki Glaser.

Nikki Glaser had the best set at the Tom Brady roast and has been everywhere ever since. Also had a great Netflix special this year.

She just landed the Golden Globes hosting gig for January. SNL probably isn't on her radar at the moment.

Well she did recently say on Conan's podcast that she wants to host and was kind of expecting a call.

Or it was Smartless, not sure.

There will be at least 15 other episodes this season. Plenty of opportunities for her to host.

Jean Smart is a fantastic lead-off host.

Not flashy (see Arianna Grande), but exactly the type of person you want hosting SNL.