Shake-Up Coming At ‘Saturday Night Live,’ Four Major Stars Leaving: Report

Katie JerkovichMay 20, 2022

“Saturday Night Live” fans might not be happy to learn that a major shake-up appears to be happening at the late-night sketch comedy show, with four major stars reportedly leaving.

28-year-old comedian Pete Davidson is reportedly one of the four said to be walking away from the show after the finale airs Saturday night, marking the end of Season 47 of “SNL,” reported The Hollywood Reporter in a piece published Friday. It will be the end of his eighth season as one of the show’s youngest-ever cast members, after joining in 2014 when he was just 20 years old.

Davidson, along with Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, and Kyle Mooney are all expected to announce they are leaving the Lorne Michaels sketch show after the finale.

Wow, big departures from SNL this year.

Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant and Kyle Mooney all leaving after the finale tomorrowhttps://t.co/QzGihdFomx

— Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) May 20, 2022

The news about Davidson’s departure comes after he announced at the NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation this week his new comedy, titled “Bupkis.”

The outlet noted that the series is inspired by his life and is being executive produced by Michaels and the NBCUniversal-based Broadway Video.

The late-night comedy sketch show has a long-standing tradition of bringing in up and coming comedians, giving them a shot, and making them stars before they then leave to pursue movie careers. Cast members who followed this path include Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, and John Belushi, just to name a few.

The piece noted that typically “SNL” departures and new additions happen during the summer and early fall, and there has previously been speculation around McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Cecily Strong, and Bryant’s departure.

McKinnon and Bryant joined the cast in 2012; Mooney came on board in 2013.

Davidson has been making headlines lately after reality star Kim Kardashian finally confirmed that the two were dating following her divorce from rapper Kanye West. In February 2021, “The Kardashians” star filed for divorce from West after nearly seven years together. She and Kanye share four kids after tying the knot in 2014.