Michael Longfellow’s departure from ‘,[object Object],’ has been confirmed, marking the end of his three-season tenure with the iconic NBC sketch comedy show. Longfellow joined the program in 2022 as a featured player for Season 48 and rose to the main cast ahead of Season 50. His deadpan comedic style and memorable appearances—most notably on ,[object Object], and as various game show hosts—quickly became fan favorites. This exit arrives just before the premiere of SNL’s 51st season, amid a broader shake-up promised by creator ,[object Object],, who recently spoke about feeling pressure to reinvent the series for new audiences.

Longfellow’s time on SNL was marked by quick wit and a sardonic approach to topical humor, with segments addressing issues like Real ID, TikTok bans, and generational quirks. During the landmark 50th season, which saw multiple legacy guest stars, Longfellow candidly joked about his limited screen time, sharing on ,Weekend Update, with ,[object Object], that “I work like 12 hours a week. When you love your job, it never feels like work. No, I’m just not in that much stuff this season”. Despite, or perhaps because of, his relatively small on-screen footprint during recent episodes, rumors swirled about Longfellow potentially transitioning to a ,Weekend Update, anchor, but these did not materialize.

The comedian’s exit coincides with those of Devon Walker and Emil Wakim, both of whom announced their departures days prior. The showrunner’s strategy to streamline the ensemble—trimming a large roster following the anniversary season—appears focused on creating space for new talent and fostering a more intimate cast dynamic. Additionally, several writers, including Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker, are leaving, underscoring the scale of changes ahead of Season 51.

Outside SNL, Michael Longfellow remains a prolific touring stand-up comedian, performing across the country and at festivals such as Netflix is a Joke, with credits that include ‘Bring the Funny’ and a role in ‘Good Burger 2’. The network has yet to make an official statement about his departure, but Longfellow expressed immense gratitude on social media, saying, “Wish I was [returning], but so it goes. It was the best three years of my life so far,” while thanking ,Lorne Michaels, and his colleagues for making the experience feel like home.