Saturday Night Livehas wrapped its 50th season, and itsmassively successfulSaturday Night Live50th anniversary special eventbrought back all the major players from every era, including Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Jimmy Fallon, and Tina Fey. It was a major milestone for the show, which aired its first episode on June 13, 2025, and is now amongthe longest-running programs in network television history.
As with allSNLseason finales,rumors have begun to swirl about cast changes, withKenan Thompson hinting at multiple exits prior to SNL season 51and adding fuel to the fire by saying that fans can expect “a lot of change next year.“Saturday Night Liveseason 51 is slated to begin on October 1, but if the rumors are true, a solid half dozen cast members may no longer be gracing our screens when it premieres.
1Colin Jost
Will He Finally Step Away From The Anchor Desk?
Now in his 20th year as a cast member, Colin Jost has become one of the main players of the cast,co-hostingSNL’s “Weekend Update” with Michael Cheand becoming the longest-tenured host of the segment, sitting behind the anchor desk since 2014. At the end of the 50th season, he made headlines by giving his wife, Scarlett Johansson, flowers during the closing segment, leaving some fans to speculate that Jost was making a goodbye statement.
Despite the fan speculation about his motives for his flower delivery to Johansson, Jost has, at least for the time being, made no public statements regarding his future withSNL.His exit would certainly leave a major void in the space of “Weekend Update”, bringing the end of an era and leaving Che without his partner in crime should he choose to stay a cast member.
2Michael Che
He’s Insinuated Before - Is This Finally The Year?
Speaking of a change on “Weekend Update”,Michael Che took his seat at the anchor desk in 2014, a few months after Colin Jost.Che has provided some of the best modern material in the segment’s history, including their hilarious and uncomfortable “Joke Swap” segments during the show’s season finales. Che, who was also head writer onSNLfrom 2017 to 2022, has become one of the main faces of the show thanks to his work with Jost during the weekly segment.
Che has been suggesting his exit fromSNLsince 2022, volleying back and forth on his status in both his stand-up appearances and interviews,most recently insinuating his exit at a stand-up comedy show in Rochester, NY in February. Although he made the statement on stage, no formal announcement has been made by Che or the show, leading fans to believe he’s pulling another fast one and will be back to make more jokes at Jost’s expense in season 51.
3Heidi Gardner
“Shrinking” Star May Be Ready To Try Something New
Wrapping up her eighth season withSNLthis year,Heidi Gardner has become a breakout star of the sketch comedy show, making waves with her appearances in multiple viral sketches. Most recently, her work in the Beavis and Butt-Head sketch that caused all the principal sketch members to break up laughing went viral. Gardner has found additional success outsideSNL, including her role as Jason Segel’s patient charged with attempted murder on the acclaimed Apple TV+ showShrinking.
Gardner hasn’t explicitly said that she’s leavingSNLahead of season 51, but in recent interviews,she has stated that she’s potentially ready for new challenges and opportunities.By leavingSNL, Gardner would be prepared for a big step into the next stage of her career, and it looks like it’s only up for her.
4Mikey Day
Eleven Seasons Might Be Enough For Him
With another season ofSNLunder his belt,Mikey Day has proved to be a versatile cast member, playing everyone from Donald Trump Jr. to Steve-O. Most notably, he received acclaim for his appearance alongside Gardner and Ryan Gosling in the Beavis and Butt-Head sketch, a role he reprized on the red carpet of Gosling’s 2024 filmThe Fall Guy.
Day is already busy outside ofSaturday Night Live- as the host of the Netflix showIs It Cake?, he’s also gearing up for the live-action Inspector Gadget film. When asked byDeadlinein a recent interview if hewould be returning toSNLnext season, Day responded that he’s unsure what his future holds. With enough projects and work on his plate currently, Day will stay busy in his post-SNLcareer should he choose to exit the show.
5Bowen Yang
The Most Vocal Of Cast Members About His Future
Joining theSNLcast in season 44,Bowen Yang has made quite a name for himself, starring in multiple popular and hilarious sketches, including “New Parents,” “GP-Yass,” and as the Titanic Iceberg on “Weekend Update.” Starting as a writer on the show, Yang is the first Chinese-American cast member inSNL’shistory, as well as the sixth gay cast member.
Since the end of season 50,Yang has been vocal about his future with the show, stating after he was overcome with emotion during the season finale, “I think I was just processing that being one of the last ‘last nights’ that I would have, and that is a huge thing” (viaEntertainment Weekly). Should Yang depart before season 51, he’ll have plenty of work reprising his role of Pfannee in theWickedsequelWicked: For Good.
6Kenan Thompson
A Lifer Or Giving Up The Show For Good?
The longest-tenured cast member inSNLhistory,Kenan Thompson has been on the show since 2003, spanning an impressive 22 seasons. A millennial icon from his time as a cast member of the Nickelodeon showsAll That andKenan & Kelwith Kel Mitchell, Thompson has made an entire generation laugh for over four decades, and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Each year, once the season has wrapped,rumors abound that this season will surely be the last season for him, and every year, Thompson returns to Studio 8H at 30 Rock. While rumors swirl about his status, if Thompson ever decides to hang up his sketch comedy cape, it will truly be the end of an era for bothSaturday Night Liveand millennials everywhere who have had Thompson as a part of their comedy purview since grade school.
