SNL Shake-Up: Stars Fall as Lorne Michaels Prepares for a Major Cast Overhaul
SNL SHAKEDOWN: Another Star Bites the Dust, and Lorne Michaels' Future Hangs in the Balance
It's been a tumultuous week for Saturday Night Live (SNL) fans, with not one but two cast members announcing their departure from the iconic sketch comedy series. Emil Wakim, 27, became the latest star to bid adieu to Studio 8H, leaving many wondering what's behind the sudden exodus.
Wakim, who joined SNL in 2024 for its 50th season, made his exit official on Instagram with a heartfelt post that read like a eulogy. "It was a gut punch of a call to get, but I'm so grateful for my time there," he wrote, accompanied by photos from happier times at the show's legendary studio. Wakim's tenure with SNL was marked by milestones – he became the first cast member of Lebanese heritage and even landed a spot on the Weekend Update desk alongside Colin Jost and Michael Che.
But it seems that Wakim's time at SNL was cut short, amidst rumors of a "significant shake-up" planned for season 51. According to insiders, the show's creator and longtime showrunner Lorne Michaels has been making waves, threatening to fire multiple stars ahead of the next season. While Wakim didn't explicitly state that he was let go, his Instagram post hinted at a difficult conversation with the show's powers-that-be.
Just a day earlier, costar Devon Walker revealed on Instagram that he too would be leaving SNL after three seasons. In a tongue-in-cheek announcement, Walker compared his time at the show to a rocky romance – "toxic" at times, but ultimately worth it. The 34-year-old Texas native confessed that the job could be brutal, saying "sometimes it was really cool; sometimes it was toxic as hell." However, he expressed gratitude for the experience and praised his fellow comedians, calling them "a f–ked up lil family."
Walker's departure has raised eyebrows, particularly given Michaels' recent statements about a major overhaul ahead of season 51. When asked about the shake-up, Michaels replied, "Yeah, for sure." With only a week to go before the new season premieres on October 4, fans are left wondering what's next for SNL.
But it's not just Walker and Wakim who have packed their bags – rumors swirl that more cast members may be on the chopping block. The most famous faces from the current cast include Colin Jost, Bowen Yang, and Kenan Thompson. Will they too face the axe? Only time will tell.
In related news, Lorne Michaels spoke candidly about the challenges facing late-night television, citing the rising costs of producing shows like SNL, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. According to a media expert, when Michaels finally retires – and it's only a matter of time before he does – NBC may be forced to cancel these programs along with the rest.
Robert Thompson, founder of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, shared his gloomy forecast in late July: "When Lorne Michaels retires, NBC will have an interesting position. They'll be able to get out of late night in one fell swoop instead of overhauling every program."
The question on everyone's mind is: what's behind the sudden exodus at SNL? Is it a strategic move by Michaels to revamp the show or simply a case of musical chairs? As the new season approaches, fans will have to wait and see how this drama unfolds.
