Want to know who left SNL this season? The iconic late-night show Saturday Night Live has been one of the longest-running series of all time. With as many as 48 back-to-back seasons, SNL has been the powerhouse of several big names and comedians who went on to have their big breakthroughs from this series itself. From Adam Sandler to Andy Samberg, these big names have been a part of SNL at one point in time.
SNL fans recently were in for a big shock after the series faced a big cast shakedown after eight cast members left the show. This sudden departure has given way to several speculations about what could eth a possible reason for this shocking exit from the show. Another comedian has recently exited from the show and has also revealed the reason behind it. Let us take a look at all the details and lesser-known facts to know who left SNL this season.
Who left SNL this season?
Melissa Villaseñor is the newest name who has left SNL this season. As the city median left this season in long-running sketch comedy series after six long years on the program. The comedian and musician have become a fan favorite as viewers lived her spot-on and uncanny impressions of celebrities like Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and more.
As Melissa Villasenor broke her since over the matter of why she decided to quit, Tue comedian explained that at the end of the day, it was about her mental health and revealed how last season she had a couple of panic attacks and she struggled while further admitting how she always felt like she was on the edge of a cliff every week.
Melissa finally decided that she did not want to be doing that to herself anymore. She also cleared the air and stated that it is not like the show was mean towards her or anyone, and it was just how she handled things. The comedian pointed out that being an introvert, when she is in a big group of a lot of amazing people, and everyone’s speaking over everyone else, she thinks that she tends to get small and nervous.
Also, read Why did Pete Davidson leave SNL? What is He Up to Now?
Who Else Has Left SNL?
SNL fans are in for a huge shock as some of the familiar faces of the series, including Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Kyle Mooney, Aristotle Athari, Alex Moffat, and Chris Redd, have bid farewell to the show. This has been a huge surprise as so. many cast members leaving the show at one go is rare, and this kind of a historic shake-up like this hasn’t happened since 1995. Creator Lorne shared that having two dozen performers was difficult.
and cast! pic.twitter.com/rwvn8yLvD5
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 3, 2022
While four new featured players have been added to the cast, some of the familiar faces will continue to work, including Colin Jost and Michael Che as the hosts of the segment Weekend Update Michaels said. Michaels also stated that even he has no plans to retire and also assured fans that the show will have a big celebration when it reaches its 50th season!
Lorne Michaels Explains Why these Cast Members Left SNL
While several familiar faces leave the long-running series, series creator Lorne Michael has finally broken his silence over the matter and explained how this was a long time coming. Michaels revealed that the pandemic created a situation where no one could leave because there were no jobs, but then the large cast got to a point where they had a lot of people, and people were not getting enough playing time on screen.
The creator further explained that if they did not add new people every year, then the show is not the show, and There have to be new people, for both their sake and also for the audience. Several new faces have joined the show, while the ones that left the show have already filmed their final episode and have bid an emotional farewell to SNL.
