Michael Longfellow Exits SNL Ahead of Season 51 Shake-Up
After three seasons, Michael Longfellow leaves Saturday Night Live as the show faces major cast and writer changes before its October 2025 premiere.
New York, August 28 EST: Michael Longfellow is officially out at Saturday Night Live. After three seasons, the 30-year-old comic is saying goodbye to Studio 8H just weeks before the show returns for its 51st season on October 4.
A Quiet Killer Finds the Exit
Longfellow joined in 2022, part of that big reset year after the show lost heavyweights like Kate McKinnon and Pete Davidson. At first glance, he did not look like the obvious breakout star. But he knew how to play the long game. His dry and deadpan Weekend Update sets made him a favorite among comedy fans who remember Norm Macdonald as the gold standard of that style.
He never had a recurring character to anchor him, and maybe that is part of why his exit feels unsurprising. Still, when he sat behind the Update desk, there was a sense of calm in the middle of the noise. He proved that not every SNL laugh needs to come from a big stunt.
A Cast Shake Up With Teeth
Longfellow is not leaving alone. As Entertainment Weekly reported, fellow cast members Devon Walker and Emil Wakim are also out. Behind the curtain, writers including Celeste Yim and reportedly Rosebud Baker are stepping away as well.
That is not a small shift. SNL has always turned over talent, but losing multiple performers and writers at once changes the dynamic. Lorne Michaels has already hinted at a creative reset heading into Season 51, and this appears to be the beginning of that shift.
Working With Comedy Legends
One of the highlights of Longfellow’s run was his chance to work with icons. The New York Post noted how he valued the experience of sharing the stage with Martin Short, Jon Lovitz, and Dana Carvey. For a stand up comic who worked his way up through clubs, trading lines with those names is the kind of moment that feels like a career milestone.
Why Fans Care
In an era where SNL faces constant questions about its relevance, cast changes like this always spark debate. Longfellow was not the loudest presence, but his fans appreciated the different energy he brought. Less mugging, more wit. For viewers who enjoy the smaller, stranger laughs that slip in between sketches, losing him leaves a gap.
Season 51 in Reinvention Mode
Season 51 premieres October 4, and the show will need to adjust quickly. The departures leave open questions about who might take over more Update desk time and which new faces will rise to the challenge of becoming the next breakout.
The history of the show suggests this is not necessarily bad news. When SNL lost Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg in 2012, there was plenty of worry. Then Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong arrived to carry the show forward. This is the cycle the show lives on, turning exits into opportunities.
The Longfellow Question
As for Longfellow, the most natural path seems to be stand up. He has the voice, the timing, and now three years of national exposure. He may end up acting, writing, or headlining tours, but he leaves with credibility and momentum.
For SNL, the message is familiar. The cast changes, the tone evolves, and the show keeps moving forward.
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A bi-coastal pop culture critic and former indie screenwriter, Gia covers Hollywood, streaming wars, and subculture shifts with razor wit and Gen Z intuition. If it’s going viral, she already knew about it.
