NEED TO KNOW
Saturday Night Live alum Punkie Johnson is reacting to all the cast exits on Instagram
Johnson took to the Instagram comments section to share her thoughts on Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow and Heidi Gardner’s departures
Johnson announced she was leaving SNL ahead of the show’s milestone 50th season last August
Punkie Johnson is all shook up by the flurry of Saturday Night Live cast exits.
The 40-year-old comedian, who was a cast member on the sketch comedy series for four seasons between 2020 and 2024, has taken to social media over the past few days to share her reaction to several cast members leaving the show.
She reacted to Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow and Heidi Gardner’s SNL departures in the comments section of the Saturday Night Network’s Instagram posts.
Johnson’s comments have ranged from confusion and shock to consolation.
On a post about Walker’s exit after three seasons on Aug. 25, she wrote, “Welcome back Dev. It’s fun outside baby… love u.”
NBC/Jamie McCarthy/NBC via Getty
Devon Walker on the ‘SNL50’ red carpet in New York City on Feb. 16, 2025
Reacting to news of Wakim being a one-and-done cast member on Aug. 27, Johnson shared, “You beautiful man… this is a shocker to us all I’m sure… We should stand at the doors of 30 Rock and act a fool for you… Keep your head up baby… Let’s play outside.. It’s been fun💙💙🫡.”
Will Heath/NBC via Getty
Emil Wakim on ‘Saturday Night Live’
Johnson called Longfellow her “sexy handsome work husband” following him now being out after three seasons on Aug. 28.
“wtf is happening… This is like the departed…,” she wrote. “I love you so much…I’ll call you… Welcome back outside baby…. I’ll see you out here soon 🥰😍😍💙💙💙💙.”
NBC/Jamie McCarthy/NBC via Getty
Michael Longfellow on the ‘SNL50’ red carpet in New York City on Feb. 16, 2025
It was Gardner’s departure on Aug. 28 that appeares to have hit Johnson the hardest, though.
Johnson said that Gardner leaving SNL was “probly the biggest surprise of this ‘shake up.'”
“Ahhhhhh Lawd not my Heidi…,” she wrote. “Heidi you are my shining star… You had a great run and I admire everything about you… CONGRATULATIONS HEIDI… YOU ARE AN SNL LEGEND FOR LIFE… See you outside… 🥹🫡💙 let have some fun 😘.”
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Heidi Gardner on the ‘SNL50’ red carpet in New York City on Feb. 16, 2025
Gardner is the longest-serving cast member of those who are leaving— at least so far — with eight seasons under her belt.
Johnson announced her departure from SNL last August ahead of the show’s milestone 50th season.
The comedian revealed on Instagram that she had declared she wasn’t coming back for another season at a comedy show after a fan asked her what she was “looking forward to” in the next season.
“I don’t remember the exact question, all I heard was, ‘me and next season.’ I’m not going to lie to my friends, so I just said, ‘Oh, I ain’t coming back,'” she recalled at the time. “Then I woke up this morning to text messages, phone calls, tags on the internet. I’m like, ‘What is going on!’ They’re like, ‘Well, you made some comments.'”
Johnson assured her followers that there was “no bad blood” or “bridges burned” with her exit.
“But yo, man, SNL was a dream I didn’t even know that I could achieve,” she continued, concluding, “Man, I was a part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy, and I am so grateful for it. That’s still my people, I love them, I’mma be at the after parties acting a plum fool, but, you know, my time there has come to an end.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Saturday Night Live season 51 premieres on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Read the original article on People
