I knew he would be fired. They hardly used him:
The shakeup at Saturday Night Live continues as Michael Longfellow becomes the third cast member to depart the show ahead of the new season.
Entertainment Weekly has learned Longfellow, who has been with SNL for three seasons, will not return for season 51. Deadline was first to report the news.
News of Longfellow's departure follows the exits of castmates Emil Wakim and Devon Walker, as well as writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker revealing they will not be back for season 51, which is set to premiere on Oct. 4.
Longfellow joined SNL in 2022 as a featured player for season 48, along with Walker, Marcello Hernández, and Molly Kearney, following a mass exodus that included stars like Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, Pete Davidson, and Melissa Villaseñor. As is common practice, he was promoted to the repertory cast after two seasons.
The comedian had a slow start making a name for himself on the NBC sketch show, finding the most success doing stand-up as himself at the "Weekend Update" desk, including as the show's "Resident Boyfriend." His lanky frame and deadpan delivery brought comparisons to late SNL star Norm MacDonald, leading many fans to wonder if Longfellow might end up anchoring "Update" himself one day.
Outside of SNL, Longfellow remains a touring comedian and appeared in Good Burger 2.
SNL boss Lorne Michaels recently revealed there would be turnover on the cast ahead of season 51, only confirming the return of resident Donald Trump impersonator James Austin Johnson.
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Earlier this year, the legendary sketch show celebrated its landmark 50th anniversary with a three-hour primetime special that saw the return of SNL alums from all five decades of the show's history. Speaking to EW on the carpet ahead of the live show, Longfellow shared his advice for new cast members.
"Buy in. Be crazy. You can stay up for two days in a row. You just got to do it," he said. "It’s not fun, but you can do that."
Saturday Night Live returns for season 51 on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock.