As the fall TV season approaches, Saturday Night Live is bracing for significant changes. Lorne Michaels, the legendary producer behind the long-running NBC sketch show, has revealed that multiple current cast members are expected to depart in the coming days.
Michaels, 80, shared the news in a recent interview, teasing a “significant shake-up” ahead of Season 51, which premieres on October 4.
Uncertainty for the Current Cast
During the interview, Michaels was tight-lipped about exactly which of the 17 cast members might leave.
“Yes, we’ll shake things up,” he said, without naming names.
The upcoming season promises to be a pivotal moment for the show, following its 50th anniversary, when past stars like Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, and Maya Rudolph returned to celebrate the milestone.
Departures Already Announced
Earlier in August, SNL fans learned that Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney would not be returning for new episodes.
Meanwhile, familiar faces such as Colin Jost, Bowen Yang, and Kenan Thompson remain part of the lineup, leaving audiences guessing who else might exit as the new season kicks off.
The Pressure to Reinvent
Michaels admitted he feels pressure to keep the show fresh. “Yeah, for sure,” he said when asked about reinventing SNL.
The upcoming decisions are part of an effort to maintain the show’s relevance in a rapidly changing media landscape, balancing tradition with new talent and formats.
Late Night Landscape in Flux
Michaels also reflected on broader shifts in late-night television, including CBS’s announcement that Stephen Colbert’s Late Show will end in May 2026 after over a decade on air.
Colbert’s show reportedly lost $40 million per year, prompting network executives to retire the franchise.
Michaels expressed surprise at the move and discussed the changing viewing habits, noting the divide between audiences on TikTok and YouTube versus traditional linear TV.
Financial Pressures on NBC
Saturday Night Live, along with Fallon’s Tonight Show and Seth Meyers’ Late Night, has collectively lost around $100 million annually, according to CNBC.
Robert Thompson, a media expert at Syracuse University, warned that Michaels’ eventual retirement could put the fate of SNL in jeopardy.
“NBC may cancel SNL along with other shows,” Thompson said, citing the challenge of replacing a visionary producer who has led the program since 1975.
SNL’s Cultural Legacy
Despite financial challenges, SNL remains a cornerstone of American comedy, attracting top-tier celebrity hosts and musical guests while launching the careers of comedy legends like Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, and Chris Rock.
Each episode costs roughly $4 million to produce, totaling around $100 million per year, but live viewership and streaming audiences continue to show strong engagement.
Adapting to a New Era
Traditional advertising revenue has declined as viewers migrate to streaming and social media platforms.
While some insiders dispute the $100 million loss figure, most agree that the show struggles to fully break even in today’s media environment.
Michaels’ strategic decisions, including the upcoming cast changes, reflect a broader effort to adapt SNL to the shifting tastes of viewers while preserving its iconic place in entertainment.
Season 51 Premiere
Fans can catch the next season of SNL starting Saturday, October 4, at 11:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock, eager to see who remains, who departs, and what new surprises await in the latest chapter of this television institution.
