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Saturday Night Live wrapped its milestone 50th season without the typical emotional farewells or confirmed cast departures, despite growing speculation that change is looming for the long-running NBC sketch comedy institution.
While the finale featured jokes and subtle nods to the future, there were no official sendoffs for any cast members. Instead, it was business as usual, with the show maintaining its comedic rhythm and avoiding the kind of heartfelt tributes previously seen, such as Kristen Wiig’s flower-filled goodbye in 2012.
The cast currently includes 17 members, with six veterans — Colin Jost, Michael Che, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and the record-holding Kenan Thompson — all having served seven or more seasons. Of them, only Michael Che has publicly hinted at an exit, though his comments were made during a standup set and not confirmed during the finale.
Sarah Sherman, one of the newer cast members, was jokingly “outed” as a departing cast member by host Scarlett Johansson during the monologue. “It’s been a great season / and Sarah is leaving / we’re all gonna miss you next year,” she sang, prompting a surprised Sherman to respond, “Wait, what? Did you guys hear something?” The moment was played for laughs, signaling it wasn’t a real announcement — if anything, it confirmed Sherman isn’t expected to leave.
During the curtain call, Sherman shared a long hug with Bowen Yang, another standout cast member whose star has risen rapidly. Yang, now in his seventh season (including his first as a writer), also embraced Ego Nwodim in a moment some viewers saw as possibly hinting at transitions behind the scenes.
Another focal point of the finale was the speculation around Lorne Michaels’ eventual retirement. While Michaels had previously said he might step down after the 50th season, he recently clarified that there is “no immediate plan.” Still, the idea was played with during Weekend Update’s signature Joke Swap, where Colin Jost, reading lines written by Che, quipped: “Lorne, retire b*tch! Let me run the show,” and later added, “Lorne, I’ll do anything to run this show,” while donning red lipstick.
Scarlett Johansson capped the evening by addressing Michaels directly: “You are a singular man, we love you and thank you,” she said, highlighting the legacy behind the laughter.
As in past years, any announcements regarding cast exits are likely to come in the weeks following the finale, with more definitive decisions arriving by late summer.
