It's official: "Saturday Night Live" is bidding farewell to Michael Longfellow, the Phoenix native and comedian who has been part of the show for the past three seasons. Longfellow, an Arizona State University alum, confirmed his departure through an Instagram post, noting, "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," as reported by Phoenix New Times.
Longfellow's departure was something of a curveball to "SNL" experts, who had heard buzz about Longfellow screen-testing for the "Weekend Update" anchor chair, a slot that might be vacating soon with rumors of current hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che exiting stage left. Aside from bringing a distinct comedic flair to "Weekend Update", Longfellow is known for his relatable skits and unique comedic voice since joining the cast in 2022 as a featured player.
Heidi Gardner, another fan favorite after eight seasons, is also among the list of departing cast members, alongside Devon Walker and Emil Wakim, according to azfamily. While some fans may be rubbing their eyes in dismay at these roster shifts, NBC assures that "Saturday Night Live" will return to screens on October 4.
