Punkie Johnson is saying goodbye to Saturday Night Live.
The 39-year-old comedian confirmed that she is leaving the NBC sketch comedy series after four seasons in a video posted to Instagram on Thursday.
“After four seasons, I will not be returning to SNL for the 50th,” Johnson said.
In the clip, she explained how she first unintentionally broke the news to an audience at a stand-up comedy show at Brooklyn’s Union Hall on Wednesday, at which fellow SNL cast members Molly Kearney, Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow were also on the lineup. When Johnson took an audience question about what she was looking forward to most in the next season of SNL, she didn’t want to lie, so she answered, “Oh, I ain’t coming back.”
Johnson clarified that the exit isn’t a hostile one.
“It’s no bad blood, it’s no bridges burned, it’s no hard feelings,” she said. “Bro, I love my people! I didn’t think none of this was going to be a big deal.”
She continued, “SNL was a dream I didn’t even know that I could achieve. 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’m gonna be at the after parties acting a plumb fool!”
“My time now has come to an end, and, um, Punkie outside now, y’all!” Johnson concluded.
Several SNL cast members commented on the post.
“Love you til the death of me Punkie!!!” Ego Nwodim wrote. “Now get off instagram and whatever tf editing app you used and call me back please!”
“punks for pres 🩵🩵🩵🩵,” Heidi Gardner commented.
“I LOVE YOU PUNK🥹❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” Chloe Fineman penned.
Johnson joined SNL as a featured player in 2020 for its 46th season and was promoted to repertory status ahead of the 48th season in 2022. Throughout her time on the series, she appeared in various sketches and “Weekend Update” segments. She sparked laughs with her celebrity impressions, including those of Queen Latifah, Ice Spice, Angel Reese, Sunny Hostin, Gayle King, Wanda Sykes, Mary J. Blige and more.
“SNL I LOVE YOU… LOOKING FORWARD TO WHATS NEXT!!!” Johnson captioned her post. “💙🫡#snl #49 PUNKIE OUT!!!!✌🏽.”
The news comes not long after it was announced that Maya Rudolph is set to bring back her beloved portrayal of Vice President Kamala Harris on SNL this fall, just in time for the 2024 election. The highly anticipated 50th season of SNL premieres Sept. 28.
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