Curious to know why Heidi Gardner left SNL ahead of Season 51? She joined the NBC sketch comedy series in 2017 and was promoted to repertory status in 2019. Ahead of Season 51, the show underwent significant cast shakeups, with several well-known members, including Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and others, departing. While Gardner hasn’t shared an official reason for her exit, some insiders recently revealed details about her contract and why she won’t be returning.
Why is Heidi Gardner leaving SNL?
An insider told The New York Post that Gardner’s contract wasn’t renewed for Season 51. The insider further added, “It’s time for a new cast.” It should be noted that Gardner hasn’t commented on these claims or her departure.
In a conversation on David Spade’s “Fly on the Wall” podcast, Dana Carvey addressed Gardner’s exit. He said, “From what I know as of this recording, that it was not her idea to leave. I could be wrong about that, but that’s what I read.” He further added, “I think she’s got a likability. She can play a real, straight news woman, she can play big, brawn, funny, physical. So I was surprised by that.”
In a previous conversation with Late Nighter, Gardner revealed her plans for what’s next after her SNL tenure. She said, “I know whatever I do next… I’d love to have a show that I co-star in and co-write, and it’s a character and it’s a world. And it’s a character I get to live in for a while and explore more.”
She also mentioned that she loves doing SNL, but there are times when she feels sketch fatigue after her eight-year run on the show. “I will say the only thing that I’ve started to feel a little bit is just sketch fatigue, or idea fatigue. At this point, after doing Groundlings and SNL for so long, I’m like, ‘I’ve written a lot of sketches,’” she added. She revealed that it happens some weeks when she falls short of ideas. However, she is grateful that the show has talented writers who pitch ideas her way during such weeks.
