Chris Parnell Reflects on 2001 SNL Firing and Rehire

Chris Parnell, known for his work on Saturday Night Live (SNL), experienced the rare situation of being fired twice from the show. He initially joined SNL in 1998, became a repertory player in 1999, but was unexpectedly let go in 2001 without a clear explanation, which shocked him and his colleagues. Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan advocated for his return, and a writer even created a sketch criticizing the decision, but it was met with little reaction. Parnell was rehired just 12 episodes later after producer Lorne Michaels admitted to making a mistake, an unusual apology from Michaels. Despite multiple theories including budget cuts and personal dislike from an NBC executive, Parnell has never received a definitive reason for his firing or rehiring. The experience deeply affected his sense of self-worth, highlighting the pressures and uncertainties inherent in SNL's high-stakes environment.