'SNL' creator Lorne Michaels addresses 'hard' cast shakeup Brendan Morrow, USA TODAYSeptember 15, 2025 at 10:29 PM 7 Lorne Michaels is addressing the cast shakeup at "Saturday Night Live" after the surprise exit of another longtime star.
- - 'SNL' creator Lorne Michaels addresses 'hard' cast shake-up
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAYSeptember 15, 2025 at 10:29 PM
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Lorne Michaels is addressing the cast shake-up at "Saturday Night Live" after the surprise exit of another longtime star.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet of the Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, the "SNL" creator, 80, said changing things up has been key to the sketch show's longevity. "The show has always brought people in from different ages and different generations, and it's how it revives itself," Michaels said. "It's always hard when people leave, but there's a time for that."
He continued, "Change is good. And the people that we're bringing in, I'm really excited about."
Michaels' comments follow the departure of several members of the "SNL" cast ahead of its new season in October.
Emmys 2025 highlights: 'The Pitt,' 'The Studio' win top awards
Lorne Michaels attends the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Most recently, Ego Nwodim announced on Sept. 12 that she would be leaving "SNL" after seven seasons, despite multiple news outlets reporting that the cast for Season 51 had been set and that Nwodim would be returning.
"The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight," Nwodim wrote on Instagram. "I have decided to leave 'SNL.' I am immensely grateful to Lorne for the opportunity; to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship."
Michaels didn't address Nwodim's exit while speaking to Entertainment Tonight, though he did comment on one of her most viral moments from Season 50: A "Weekend Update" bit where she inadvertently prompted the crowd to curse on live TV. Despite Nwodim joking at the time that "Lorne's gonna be mad," Michaels confirmed to ET that he was not upset.
"The Studio" set a record for most wins for a comedy series; Seth Rogen won for lead actor and directing.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zIVOeoG class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
"The Studio" set a record for most wins for a comedy series; Seth Rogen won for lead actor and directing.
">"The Studio" set a record for most wins for a comedy series; Seth Rogen won for lead actor and directing.
" src=https://ift.tt/zIVOeoG class=caas-img>Tramell Tillman made history as the first Black man to win outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for "Severance." He dedicated the honor to his mother.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lueN1sY class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Tramell Tillman made history as the first Black man to win outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for "Severance." He dedicated the honor to his mother.
">Tramell Tillman made history as the first Black man to win outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for "Severance." He dedicated the honor to his mother.
" src=https://ift.tt/lueN1sY class=caas-img>Britt Lower won outstanding lead Actress in a drama series. Spotted on the notes for her speech were the words "LET ME OUT," a nod to her show, "Severance."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/TfucdRP class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Britt Lower won outstanding lead Actress in a drama series. Spotted on the notes for her speech were the words "LET ME OUT," a nod to her show, "Severance."
">Britt Lower won outstanding lead Actress in a drama series. Spotted on the notes for her speech were the words "LET ME OUT," a nod to her show, "Severance."
" src=https://ift.tt/TfucdRP class=caas-img>While accepting the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Hannah Einbinder called out ICE and shouted "go Birds!" and "free Palestine!"
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9sqfDpW class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
While accepting the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Hannah Einbinder called out ICE and shouted "go Birds!" and "free Palestine!"
">While accepting the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Hannah Einbinder called out ICE and shouted "go Birds!" and "free Palestine!"
" src=https://ift.tt/9sqfDpW class=caas-img>Jean Smart accepted the outstanding lead actress in a comedy series award for "Hacks," saying "If I was walking [onstage] like John Wayne it's because I broke my knee this summer and it's not quite repaired."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pcXuVDR class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Jean Smart accepted the outstanding lead actress in a comedy series award for "Hacks," saying "If I was walking [onstage] like John Wayne it's because I broke my knee this summer and it's not quite repaired."
">Jean Smart accepted the outstanding lead actress in a comedy series award for "Hacks," saying "If I was walking [onstage] like John Wayne it's because I broke my knee this summer and it's not quite repaired."
" src=https://ift.tt/pcXuVDR class=caas-img>"Adolescence."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Owen Cooper became the youngest actor ever to win outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie, for Netflix's massive hit "Adolescence."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/oMt3IeV class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Owen Cooper became the youngest actor ever to win outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie, for Netflix's massive hit "Adolescence."
">Owen Cooper became the youngest actor ever to win outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie, for Netflix's massive hit "Adolescence."
" src=https://ift.tt/oMt3IeV class=caas-img>Katherine LaNasa took the prize for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, lauding her "The Pitt" castmates including Noah Wyle.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/qvSdzwG class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Katherine LaNasa took the prize for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, lauding her "The Pitt" castmates including Noah Wyle.
">Katherine LaNasa took the prize for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, lauding her "The Pitt" castmates including Noah Wyle.
" src=https://ift.tt/qvSdzwG class=caas-img>Alan Cumming holds the trophy for outstanding reality competition program for "The Traitors." In his acceptance speech, he said he was proud the show brings a little joy to the world.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Vbwq2c0 class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Alan Cumming holds the trophy for outstanding reality competition program for "The Traitors." In his acceptance speech, he said he was proud the show brings a little joy to the world.
">Alan Cumming holds the trophy for outstanding reality competition program for "The Traitors." In his acceptance speech, he said he was proud the show brings a little joy to the world.
" src=https://ift.tt/Vbwq2c0 class=caas-img>In his acceptance speech for outstanding variety special, Lorne Michaels (with Colin Jost) said executives told him "'we don't care what it costs, as long as it's good,'" of making the 50th anniversary special of SNL, adding, "Maybe that didn't say that, maybe that's just the way I heard it."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/SoBjDyE class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
In his acceptance speech for outstanding variety special, Lorne Michaels (with Colin Jost) said executives told him "'we don't care what it costs, as long as it's good,'" of making the 50th anniversary special of SNL, adding, "Maybe that didn't say that, maybe that's just the way I heard it."
">In his acceptance speech for outstanding variety special, Lorne Michaels (with Colin Jost) said executives told him "'we don't care what it costs, as long as it's good,'" of making the 50th anniversary special of SNL, adding, "Maybe that didn't say that, maybe that's just the way I heard it."
" src=https://ift.tt/SoBjDyE class=caas-img>John Oliver (center), raced through his speech for outstanding scripted variety series to give more money to charity, as host Nate Bargatze pledged if acceptance speeches were less than 45 seconds.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/E2zjd8e class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
John Oliver (center), raced through his speech for outstanding scripted variety series to give more money to charity, as host Nate Bargatze pledged if acceptance speeches were less than 45 seconds.
">John Oliver (center), raced through his speech for outstanding scripted variety series to give more money to charity, as host Nate Bargatze pledged if acceptance speeches were less than 45 seconds.
" src=https://ift.tt/E2zjd8e class=caas-img>Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen were honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian award. "There's no honor that would mean more to Mary and me than this one," Danson said.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/08fA3jd class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen were honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian award. "There's no honor that would mean more to Mary and me than this one," Danson said.
">Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen were honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian award. "There's no honor that would mean more to Mary and me than this one," Danson said.
" src=https://ift.tt/08fA3jd class=caas-img>Stephen Colbert celebrated with his talk show crew after winning the award for outstanding talk series award for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lsv03Pw class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Stephen Colbert celebrated with his talk show crew after winning the award for outstanding talk series award for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"
">Stephen Colbert celebrated with his talk show crew after winning the award for outstanding talk series award for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert"
" src=https://ift.tt/lsv03Pw class=caas-img>
Jeff Hiller, with his award for supporting actor in a comedy series, thanked HBO for "putting a show about sweaty middle-aged people on the same network as the sexy teens of 'Euphoria.'"
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Pi2HElt class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Jeff Hiller, with his award for supporting actor in a comedy series, thanked HBO for "putting a show about sweaty middle-aged people on the same network as the sexy teens of 'Euphoria.'"
">Jeff Hiller, with his award for supporting actor in a comedy series, thanked HBO for "putting a show about sweaty middle-aged people on the same network as the sexy teens of 'Euphoria.'"
" src=https://ift.tt/Pi2HElt class=caas-img>Nate Bargatze's opening monologue was a humorous take on Phil T. Farnsworth, the creator of television. SNL's Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell were part of the skit.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kK1gMdm class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Nate Bargatze's opening monologue was a humorous take on Phil T. Farnsworth, the creator of television. SNL's Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell were part of the skit.
">Nate Bargatze's opening monologue was a humorous take on Phil T. Farnsworth, the creator of television. SNL's Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell were part of the skit.
" src=https://ift.tt/kK1gMdm class=caas-img>Stephen Colbert shows off an old headshot before presenting the award for lead actor in a comedy series.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/X4c8jxs class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Stephen Colbert shows off an old headshot before presenting the award for lead actor in a comedy series.
">Stephen Colbert shows off an old headshot before presenting the award for lead actor in a comedy series.
" src=https://ift.tt/X4c8jxs class=caas-img>Seth Rogen took the prize for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for "The Studio," saying he's never won anything. To make up for it as a kid, he once bought "a used bowling trophy."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/izmlxfA class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Seth Rogen took the prize for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for "The Studio," saying he's never won anything. To make up for it as a kid, he once bought "a used bowling trophy."
">Seth Rogen took the prize for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for "The Studio," saying he's never won anything. To make up for it as a kid, he once bought "a used bowling trophy."
" src=https://ift.tt/izmlxfA class=caas-img>Nate Bargatze pledged $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, saying the donation would go down if winners went over the allotted 45 seconds for their acceptance speech. At the end of the night, he pledged to personally donate $250,000.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Dyj4OrR class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Nate Bargatze pledged $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, saying the donation would go down if winners went over the allotted 45 seconds for their acceptance speech. At the end of the night, he pledged to personally donate $250,000.
">Nate Bargatze pledged $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, saying the donation would go down if winners went over the allotted 45 seconds for their acceptance speech. At the end of the night, he pledged to personally donate $250,000.
" src=https://ift.tt/Dyj4OrR class=caas-img>(L-R) Reba McEntire. Karen Fairchild, and Kimberly Schlapman performed "Thank you for being a friend" as a tribute to "The Golden Girls."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1xday2A class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
(L-R) Reba McEntire. Karen Fairchild, and Kimberly Schlapman performed "Thank you for being a friend" as a tribute to "The Golden Girls."
">(L-R) Reba McEntire. Karen Fairchild, and Kimberly Schlapman performed "Thank you for being a friend" as a tribute to "The Golden Girls."
" src=https://ift.tt/1xday2A class=caas-img>Cristin Milioti accepts the outstanding lead actress in a limited series for "The Penguin" after being escorted onstage by her co-star Colin Farrell.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/d9GQJrs class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Cristin Milioti accepts the outstanding lead actress in a limited series for "The Penguin" after being escorted onstage by her co-star Colin Farrell.
">Cristin Milioti accepts the outstanding lead actress in a limited series for "The Penguin" after being escorted onstage by her co-star Colin Farrell.
" src=https://ift.tt/d9GQJrs class=caas-img>Lainey Wilson, left, and Vince Gill performed during the 'In Memoriam' segment.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1yOAmNQ class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Lainey Wilson, left, and Vince Gill performed during the 'In Memoriam' segment.
">Lainey Wilson, left, and Vince Gill performed during the 'In Memoriam' segment.
" src=https://ift.tt/1yOAmNQ class=caas-img>Stephen Colbert got a standing ovation when The Late Show won outstanding talk series.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Pv17xly class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Stephen Colbert got a standing ovation when The Late Show won outstanding talk series.
">Stephen Colbert got a standing ovation when The Late Show won outstanding talk series.
" src=https://ift.tt/Pv17xly class=caas-img>Accepting the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "The Pitt," Noah Wyle dedicated it to ER workers: "And most of all, if anybody is going on shift tonight or coming off shift tonight, thank you for being in that job. This is for you," he said.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lbt1yfa class=caas-img data-headline="Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards" data-caption="
Accepting the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "The Pitt," Noah Wyle dedicated it to ER workers: "And most of all, if anybody is going on shift tonight or coming off shift tonight, thank you for being in that job. This is for you," he said.
">Accepting the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for "The Pitt," Noah Wyle dedicated it to ER workers: "And most of all, if anybody is going on shift tonight or coming off shift tonight, thank you for being in that job. This is for you," he said.
" src=https://ift.tt/lbt1yfa class=caas-img>
1 / 23Exclusive photos from inside the 2025 Emmy Awards
"The Studio" set a record for most wins for a comedy series; Seth Rogen won for lead actor and directing.
"I was just laughing," he said. "She was great."
Before Nwodim's exit, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow announced they were not being brought back on board for "SNL" for Season 51, and multiple outlets reported that Heidi Gardner would be leaving after eight seasons. Gardner has yet to comment publicly on the reports.
It's standard practice for members of the "SNL" cast to leave the show between seasons and for new stars to be hired to replace them. But there was more scrutiny than usual on this year's departures after Michaels teased a shake-up in an interview with Puck published in August. There was also an expectation that more stars than usual may exit after the show's landmark 50th season.
Ego Nwodim says 'goodnight' to 'SNL,' exits show after 7 seasons
Lorne Michaels, left, and Colin Jost attend the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Comedians Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska have been added to the cast of "SNL" for Season 51.
"SNL" star Bowen Yang recently spoke out about the cast departures on his podcast "Las Culturistas", while confirming he will be back for the new season. "I will miss the people who are not coming back very, very much," Yang said, adding that Gardner will "go down in history" and that Walker, Wakim and Longfellow are "fantastic comedians."
Yang also told People magazine that Michaels urged him to remain on the show.
"Lorne was like, 'You have more to do,' and that means a lot, because I even confessed to him. I was like, 'I feel the audience is maybe getting sick of me,'" Yang told People. "And he was like, 'That's not true. There's more for you to do. I need you.'"
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lorne Michaels speaks out about 'SNL' cast shake-up
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