Four SNL Cast Members Exit Amid Major Season 51 Shake-Up

Heidi Gardner, the longest-tenured female cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL) with eight seasons, will not return for Season 51 as part of a major cast shake-up that includes the exits of Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Devon Walker. SNL veteran Dana Carvey suggested on his podcast with David Spade that Gardner's departure was not her choice, expressing surprise given her versatility and likability on the show. Gardner became a fan favorite through recurring roles such as Angel and Bailey Gismert, and notably went viral for breaking character during a Beavis and Butt-Head sketch with Ryan Gosling. Despite her popularity, the show's producer Lorne Michaels indicated a desire to reinvent the cast, leading to the addition of five new members. Walker described the working environment on SNL as sometimes "toxic," hinting at internal tensions. Gardner has not publicly commented on her exit, and her representatives have not responded to requests for comment.