The recent departure of several cast members from Saturday Night Live has shed light on troubling allegations regarding the show’s work environment. After the announcement of a significant cast shakeup ahead of its 51st season, social media and entertainment outlets have been abuzz with revelations about the challenges faced by those working on the iconic sketch show.
Last week, it was confirmed that Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim were all exiting the show. Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator, indicated intentions to “shake things up” for the upcoming season. While cast changes are customary for SNL, this particular wave of departures caught both fans and the industry off guard.
The firings stirred significant conversation, especially following Walker’s candid remarks on social media. On the podcast Deux U, hosted by Deuxmoi, co-host Hannah Aaron Brown shared that in recent years, many individuals connected to SNL have described it as “a shitty place to work.” She highlighted the “very high-stress environment” characterized by competition, late nights, and harsh feedback.
Walker himself characterized his time on the show as occasionally “toxic as hell” in his Instagram farewell. He later elaborated to Variety, stating that “there is a measure of humanity that the show could benefit from.” His comments echo sentiments expressed by former cast members, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who described her own experience in the 1980s as “brutal” due to a “very sexist environment.”
Other past contributors to SNL, such as writers Clare O’Kane and Steven W. Thrasher, have also voiced their dissatisfaction. Thrasher recounted living in constant fear of making mistakes that could lead to termination during his tenure.
Despite the negative experiences shared, the show continues to attract new talent. Recently, SNL announced new cast members, including TikTok sensation Veronika Slowikowska, indicating that the program remains a sought-after platform for emerging comedians and performers.
In addition to the discussions surrounding working conditions, Deuxmoi has speculated on potential musical guests for the upcoming season. Among the rumored acts are a “recently engaged A-lister” and a “small but scrumptious pop singer,” which many fans have interpreted as references to Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter.
As SNL prepares for its next season, the fallout from these revelations may impact not only its cast dynamics but also its reputation within the entertainment industry. The juxtaposition of its legacy as a comedy institution with the personal accounts of former and current staff raises important questions about workplace culture in high-pressure creative environments.
