Someone Finally Asked Lorne Michaels How He Feels About The SNL Cast Shakeups Ahead Of Season 51

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The cast for the 51st season of *Saturday Night Live* is now finalized, following some changes that saw several cast members leave the show. These adjustments were expected, as executive producer Lorne Michaels had previously indicated they would happen. Now that the cast is set, people were curious about Michaels’ reaction, so someone asked him at the 2025 Emmys, where he was honored, and he shared his thoughts.

As a longtime SNL fan, I was thrilled to see the 50th Anniversary Special win the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live)! It was so well-deserved. I also saw that Lorne Michaels talked to Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet, and they asked him about the recent cast changes. Basically, he explained that they’re always trying to keep the show feeling new and exciting, and that’s why they make adjustments to the cast – to keep things fresh for everyone.

The show has always appealed to a wide range of ages, which is key to its continued success. While it’s never easy to say goodbye to cast members, it’s a natural part of the process. We’ve consistently attracted a younger audience, and that’s even more true now with platforms like TikTok. I’m optimistic about the new people joining the show and believe these changes will be positive.

Saturday Night Live’s 51st season will feature five new cast members: Kam Patterson, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Veronika Slowikowska, and Ben Marshall from the Please Don’t Destroy group. While these changes might seem significant, Lorne Michaels notes that the show has always needed to evolve to stay fresh. What viewers have been seeing recently is simply a natural transition for the long-running sketch comedy series.

Although the decisions made by the head of *Saturday Night Live* are understandable, the recent departures of several cast members are still disappointing. Devon Walker was the first to leave before Season 51, and soon after, Emil Wakim was also let go. Michael Longfellow’s exit followed, and then fans found out that Heidi Gardner, who had been with the show for eight seasons, was also leaving.

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Okay, so Chloe Fineman had the *best* reaction to SNL bringing in a ton of new cast members. And honestly, the way she referenced Bruce Willis in ‘Death Becomes Her’ to talk about getting older? Genius! As a movie person, I totally appreciated that little nod – it was perfectly timed and hilarious. It’s so great to see her bringing that level of cleverness to everything she does.

The cast changes at Saturday Night Live continue, with Ego Nwodim recently announcing her departure after seven seasons. Fans were surprised and disappointed by the news, sharing their reactions online. Nwodim had some memorable moments on the show, including a viral Weekend Update segment from Season 50 where the audience unexpectedly shouted out an expletive. Lorne Michaels admitted he found the moment amusing during an interview with ET, saying he was “laughing” along with everyone else.

It’s sad to see cast members like Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, and Michael Longfellow depart. However, Lorne Michaels has earned our trust after 50 years of producing the show. SNL’s long run proves he’s good at keeping things new and exciting by regularly updating the cast.

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The 51st season of *Saturday Night Live* kicks off on NBC October 4th at 11:35 p.m. Eastern. You’ll also be able to watch new episodes by streaming them on Peacock.

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2025-09-15 18:31