Michael Longfellow is now the third Saturday Night Live cast member to leave the show ahead of its season fifty-one premier.
Longfellow’s departure comes in the wake of cast members Devon Walker and Emil Wakim and writer Celeste Yim all being reported as not returning for season 51.
While the show itself doe not comment on cast and staff departures, Longfellow posted on Instagram a statement that clearly suggests it was not his idea to leave the show. He stated, “Will not be returning for a 4th season at SNL. Wish I was but, so it goes. It was the best three years of my life so far. I feel nothing but gratitude for the experience and everyone there.”
The news comes as a bit of a surprise considering that rumors had recently circulated suggesting that Longfellow had recently screen-tested for a spot at the Weekend Update news parody desk. Colin Jost and Michael Che have co-hosted the segment for the last eleven seasons – the longest running cast members to do so. Reaction to some of Longfellow’s guest appearances in the segment have been positive enough that some of the show’s fan community have expressed hopes that his sardonic style would get him behind the desk full time.
Longfellow joined the show as a featured player at the start of season 48 alongside Walker, Marcello Hernandez, and Molly Kearney. He was promoted to the main cast at the beginning of season 50. Kearney departed the show prior to the start of Season 50.
Longfellow’s departure also points to a worrying trend among this coming season’s cast shakeups. All three have only been with the show a short time, while a majority of the main cast have been with the show six years or longer. Fans hoping for departures of the longer-termed cast members to allow the featured players their time in the main spotlight might be disappointed.
Saturday Night Live season 51 premiers on October 4.
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