Who is leaving SNL? Veteran SNL cast member Kenan Thompson hints at major shakeup

Daily Mail​

25-05-2025

Veteran SNL cast member Kenan Thompson hinted at some major changes to the sketch comedy show's upcoming season.
Thompson, who joined the popular NBC show in 2003, said concluding the 50th season - which wrapped up earlier this month - was 'bittersweet.'
'Especially this year where it feels like there's maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,' the 47-year-old comedian told Page Six Wednesday while attending the Reel Works 24th Changemakers Gala.
Thompson, who sported a vibrant green shirt, black coat, large black sunglasses, white sneakers and gold chains, made it clear that change isn't something everyone is onboard with.
'You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions this summer…it's always like you want your kids to stay young,' he added.
Of all the current cast members, The 'All That' alum has the longest running history with the show with 22 seasons under his belt.
Although he's been an iconic part of the show for decades, Thompson told the outlet he has yet to sign his contract for a 23rd season.
'You just never know what the future holds. I don't want to be in the way of someone else or I don't want to be the stale old man riding the same thing,' Thompson explained.
'That doesn't really happen that much at 'SNL' but there's no guarantees, I guess.'
Despite not knowing what the future might hold for him or his fellow cast members, Thompson appeared to be eager to return.
'I mean, I love that place. It's one of my favorite places to be,' he said.
Although there is no clear release date for the next season, SNL typically premieres in the early fall.
Thompson spoke out after the 50th season concluded on May 17 as a few cast members jokingly teased some changes that might come in the future.
During the episode, Sarah Sherman, who joined the cast in 2021, appeared surprised when one of her cast mates joked she would be leaving.
Meanwhile, Weekend Update host Colin Jost teased he was looking to replace Lorne Michaels - the boss of SNL.
Michaels, 80, has been with the hit show since 1975. He briefly left the comedy skit in the early 1980s, missing seasons six through 10.
In September, he told The Hollywood Reporter he plans on staying, and also addressed the backlash the show has received for its political commentary.
'It's always going to be described the same way, which is "uneven," and yet people have decided somehow that it's important,' he said.
'And so as long as it's important and I can be useful, I'll stay.'
In recent seasons, especially since President Donald Trump returned to office, the sketch comedy has hit on many pressing issues in the US, leaving some disappointed with the show.
Well-known cast members portray not just Trump but others in his administration, including Elon Musk, Marco Rubio, Jeanine Pirro and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Just before the 50th season finale aired, fans claimed Jost was gearing up to leave Saturday Night Live.
Jost, 42, joined the comedy show in 2005 during season 31 as a writer. Over the years he rose through the ranks, becoming a writing supervisor and then co-head writer alongside Seth Meyers in 2012.
Currently, Jost serves as the co-anchor of Weekend Update with Michael Che.
However, after two decades many people believed Jost was going to announce his departure on the finale, which was hosted by his wife Scarlett Johansson and musical guest Bad Bunny.
'There's no proof but they've been the longest-running update anchors for a while,' someone chimed in on Reddit.
'There's expected to be a decent turnover after the 50th season of people who stayed to be a part of it. Add in his wife hosting the season finale and I wouldn't be surprised if it is his last episode.'
'I think Colin Jost is leaving SNL and Michael Longfellow is gonna take his spot on weekend update mark my words,' hypothesized another.
The comedian himself has not shared anything about his rumored final episode, but in September 2024, he and Che were asked about the topic on The Howard Stern Show.
'I wanna leave because I just feel like I miss stand-up,' Che said.
'I feel like, first of all, you're very good at it and it is rewarding for you, even though you're often like, "I want to do other stuff",' Jost chimed in.
'It's hard to imagine being gone. My brain is on the clock of Saturday Night Live,' Che told his coworker.
'People get burned out in ways you don't see. People get burned out in a different way, when you have that level of heat for a while. It's hard to keep doing it,' Jost replied.