SNL Season 51 Shake-Up: Cast & Writers Depart After 50th Anniversary

SNL’s Next Chapter: Who’s Leaving, What’s Changing, and What’s Next

The confetti from Saturday Night Live’s milestone 50th anniversary is barely cleaned up, but the winds of change are already blowing through Studio 8H. True to his word in a recent interview, Lorne Michaels is reshaping both the cast and the writing staff as the show heads into its 51st season. And let’s be honest—after a big anniversary, shake-ups are practically tradition for SNL.

This time, though, the goodbyes are hitting a little harder because they include a mix of seasoned players, fresh faces who barely got a full lap around the track, and behind-the-scenes voices that shaped some of the sketches we all rewatched on YouTube at 2 a.m.

So, who’s out, and what’s next? Let’s break it down.

🚪 Cast Members Saying Goodbye

Several performers have confirmed they won’t be returning to 30 Rock when the new season kicks off. Some of these exits were rumored, others came as complete surprises. Here’s the current roster of farewells:

Michael Longfellow: The Reliable “Weekend Update” Voice

Deadline reported on August 28 that Michael Longfellow will not be returning next season. Longfellow joined SNL in 2021, and in just three seasons, he carved out a reputation as the calm, straight-shooting presence in the middle of chaos.

• On Weekend Update, his commentaries stood out—whether he was tackling TikTok’s ban or joking about his Republican relatives at Thanksgiving.

• He was also quietly versatile in sketches, often playing the straight man opposite more eccentric characters.

Here’s the twist: Longfellow apparently screen-tested earlier this year to become one of the new Weekend Update anchors, alongside writer KC Shornima. While that gig didn’t pan out, it says something about how much faith the show had in him.

Emil Wakim: One Season, Big Impressions

Emil Wakim, who joined the cast in 2024, didn’t get a long run—just one season—but he left a mark. In an emotional Instagram post on August 27, he admitted the departure felt like a “gut punch,” but he was also deeply grateful for the experience.

Some highlights from his farewell post:

• Every time he scanned into 30 Rock, he felt in awe.

• He described SNL as “terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding.”

• Most importantly, he credited Lorne Michaels with changing his life.

Wakim had some standout “Weekend Update” appearances during his short time, and now he’s ready to focus on, in his own words, “making more art without compromise.” That sounds like a mission statement for a post-SNL career.

Devon Walker: The Class Clown Exit

Devon Walker’s announcement was pure Devon: funny, self-aware, and a little cryptic.

• On August 25, after three seasons, he posted on Instagram: “me and baby broke up.”

• He even joked about whether he quit or got fired: “wait … did he quit or did he get fired? Doesn’t really matter.”

• Walker compared working in entertainment to being in “a bunch of little marriages”—some last forever, most don’t, and you know that going in.

After joining the cast in 2022, Walker quickly became known for his sharp comedic timing. Now, he’s eyeing something very different: a role in a prestige drama, ideally opposite Julianne Moore. (And honestly, who wouldn’t want that on their résumé?)

✍️ Writers Leaving the Table

It’s not just the on-camera talent making exits. Behind the scenes, two key writers are also moving on. And if you know SNL, you know the writers’ room is where the real magic begins.

Celeste Yim

• Joined the staff in 2020.

• Frequently collaborated with Bowen Yang, helping create some of his most memorable sketches.

• Announced their exit on August 25, after five solid seasons.

Their Instagram post summed it up perfectly: “Thank you Bowen for changing my life and for making me feel normal.” That’s more than a goodbye—it’s a love letter to a creative partnership.

Rosebud Baker

• Hired in 2022, stayed four seasons.

• Officially announced her departure on the same day as Yim—August 25.

• Instead of mourning, she’s already leaning forward: Baker has a fall stand-up tour lined up.

Rosebud’s voice was sharp, witty, and occasionally biting—a style that translated beautifully into sketches. Her comedy tour is proof she’s not slowing down anytime soon.

🎉 What’s Next for SNL 51?

Alright, enough goodbyes. Let’s talk about what’s ahead.

Season 51 premieres October 4. As of now, NBC hasn’t revealed who the host or musical guest will be. But if history tells us anything, SNL loves to kick off new eras with a bang.

Fun thought: imagine Lady Gaga hosting and performing. Or, given the recent Broadway buzz, maybe even a showgirl-themed opener. Whatever happens, the spotlight will definitely be on the new cast additions and how the show reinvents itself post-50.

🌟 Why These Departures Matter

Some fans shrug when cast members leave SNL—after all, turnover is baked into the DNA of the show. But here’s why this round feels a little different:

1. Timing. Coming right after the 50th anniversary, these exits underline that SNL is closing one major chapter and starting fresh.

2. Mix of talent. Losing both veterans (like Longfellow) and newer faces (like Wakim) changes the show’s dynamic in unpredictable ways.

3. Writers matter. Viewers often only see the performers, but when writers like Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker leave, it shifts the comedic voice of the show.

Think back to when Tina Fey left the writers’ room or when Bill Hader walked away from the cast—those weren’t just personnel changes, they altered the DNA of the comedy itself.

📝 Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Here’s the thing about SNL: every era feels like the “end of an era.” But the show has been doing this dance for half a century. For every loss, there’s always a new name you don’t know yet who’ll eventually become iconic.

• In the late ’90s, people panicked when Mike Myers and Adam Sandler left—then along came Will Ferrell.

• In the mid-2000s, fans mourned when Tina Fey focused on 30 Rock—but then Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader became household names.

• More recently, when Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, and Aidy Bryant exited all at once, some thought SNL couldn’t bounce back. Spoiler: it did.

So while saying goodbye stings, it’s also exciting. It means new energy, new voices, and maybe even the next comedy legend waiting in the wings.

📌 Quick Recap

• Leaving Cast: Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, Devon Walker.

• Leaving Writers: Celeste Yim, Rosebud Baker.

• Season 51 Premiere: October 4, 2025 (host and musical guest TBA).

• Big Picture: SNL is entering a fresh chapter after its historic 50th season.

Final Thought

At the end of the day, SNL isn’t just a comedy show—it’s a revolving door of talent that has defined American humor for generations. The departures of Longfellow, Wakim, Walker, Yim, and Baker may feel bittersweet, but they also set the stage for the next group of comedians and writers to step into the chaos of Studio 8H.

And let’s be real: part of the fun of watching SNL is seeing who rises, who surprises, and who eventually becomes the person we look back on as “the one who changed the show.”

So grab your popcorn (or, let’s be honest, your Saturday night takeout), because SNL 51 is about to start a brand-new chapter.