Devon Walker has responded to support from “Saturday Night Live” fans after he announced he’s exiting the show after three seasons.
“Ohhh my boys,” wrote a social media user who posted photos of Walker with Michael Longfellow, who can be leaving “SNL” after three seasons. “I wish you each nothing but the very best,” the fan added, using a tragic face and heart emojis.
Walker quipped back on X, “Y’all acting like we died lol we just getting different jobs.”
Walker, who was well-known on “SNL” for his Eric Adams and Michael Strahan impressions, is amongst 4 solid members who is not going to be returning for the show’s upcoming 51st season, premiering on NBC on Oct. 4. Announcing his departure on Instagram on Aug. 25, Walker wrote, “Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we did what we made probably the most of what it was, even amidst the entire dysfunction. We made a fucked up lil family.”
Emil Wakim’s announcement followed, because the Season 50 newbie wrote, “I won’t be returning to SNL next yr. It was a gut punch of a call to get but I’m so grateful for my time there,” Wakim wrote in his announcement. “Each time I scanned into the constructing I’d think how insane it’s to get to work there. It was probably the most terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding experience of my life and I’ll miss it dearly and all of the good people who work there that made it feel like a house.”
Longfellow wrote of his exit, “Is not going to be returning for a 4th season at SNL. Wish I used to be but, so it goes. It was the very best three years of my life to date. I feel nothing but gratitude for the experience and everybody there. Lorne, you gave me the best job on the earth and altered my life. You even put my mom on TV. Thanks doesn’t begin to cover it, but thanks. I’ll miss all of it, but I’ll miss the buddies I made and seeing them on a regular basis probably the most.”
On Thursday afternoon, Variety reported that Heidi Gardner can be leaving “SNL” after eight seasons. She was the longest-tenured current female solid member in Season 50 and was known for her “Weekend Update” characters including the teenager movie critic Bailey Gismert and Angel, “every boxer’s girlfriend from every movie about boxing ever.”
“Saturday Night Live” returns on NBC on Oct. 4.