Devon Walker Talks Departure from ‘SNL’: ‘It Was a Joint Decision to Move Forward’

Devon Walker recently opened up about his exit from Saturday Night Live, a decision he describes as mutual between him and the show. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he shared, “Me and the show kind of looked at each other and decided together that it was time to go our separate ways.”

Walker felt ready for a change, saying he needed more balance in his life. “This was such a big time commitment. There’s been a lot of life stuff that I feel like I’ve had to miss out on,” he explained. Both Walker and the show seemed to agree it was time to move on.

Currently, he’s diving into new projects. He’s exploring deals for his music-themed comedy podcast, My Favorite Lyrics, and is considering roles in dramatic television. Walker first joined SNL in 2022 and quickly became known for his impressions of various public figures, including Frank Ocean and Eric Adams.

Reflecting on his time with the show, he shared mixed feelings: “Sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell.” Yet, he appreciated the experience and the unique family they formed, regardless of the chaos.

Not long after Walker announced his departure, several other cast members, including Emil Wakim and Heidi Gardner, also left. This led to a stir among fans, prompting reactions on social media. Alumni, like Punkie Johnson, voiced confusion about the changes with comments like, “WTF is happening.”

Walker responded to the fan outcry with a light-hearted tone on X, saying, “Y’all acting like we died lol we just getting different jobs.” His nonchalant approach underlines how these transitions, though significant, are part of a career journey.

Moreover, with the show’s 51st season set to premiere on October 4, it raises questions about the future direction of SNL. Historical shifts in its cast have often reflected broader changes in comedy and culture. For instance, the show has seen numerous cast shakeups over the years, coinciding with changes in public sentiment and media trends.

In 2023, monitoring cast dynamics is crucial. Studies show that shows like SNL are evolving with the audience’s expectations, particularly as younger viewers favor more diverse and relatable content. It will be interesting to see how this upcoming season navigates walker’s departure and what new energy the current cast might bring.

For more insights into the evolving landscape of late-night comedy, check out resources like the Pew Research Center’s reports on media consumption.

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Devon Walker,Lorne Michaels,Saturday Night Live,SNL