Chris Parnell, a well-known comedian and TV star, admits that he remains puzzled about the reasons behind his initial termination, followed swiftly by his rehiring, from Saturday Night Live.
During his recent interview on The Patrick Labyorteaux Podcast, Parnell talked about the peculiar path of his career on SNL, stating that he’s never quite understood why it took the turn it did. He described it as a major surprise, and mentioned that typically, cast members find out by the end of June if their contracts will be renewed. However, in his case, things didn’t follow this pattern.
After receiving a call from my supervisor, I was informed that they wouldn’t be rehiring me. This news was quite devastating, and it became clear how deeply my self-worth was tied to being a Saturday Night Live cast member. Parnell went on to share that his fellow SNL cast members like Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan swiftly came to his defense. He also mentioned a biting sketch written by T. Sean Shannon, which depicted a cherished Benihana chef who was terminated without explanation, symbolically representing the situation surrounding my dismissal. Eventually, I was reinstated on the show following 12 episodes.
[Lorne Michaels] called me into his office and confessed, ‘‘I erred, how should I explain it?’‘, which, as far as I know, is uncommon for Lorne,” Parnell commented on his comeback.
As a devoted film aficionado, I’d say my journey with Saturday Night Live (SNL) kicked off in 1998 as a featured player. The following season, I was elevated to a more prominent role. However, in 2001, I found myself leaving SNL along with Jerry Minor, due to budget cuts being the unfortunate reason behind our dismissal. But, fate had other plans, and when I returned mid-season in 2002, it marked a triumphant comeback that resonated strongly. My departure from the cast once again occurred in 2006, but this time under more favorable circumstances. The year also saw me making my debut as Doctor Leo Spaceman on 30 Rock, and not long after, I landed the role of Jerry Smith on Rick and Morty.
Chris Parnell Is a Rick and Morty Star
Looking back at over a decade’s worth of adventures before the Season 8 premiere on May 25, I can’t help but recall the significant moment when co-creator Justin Roiland faced abuse allegations in 2023. In a recent interview, Chris Parnell shared his perspective on how this event affected “Rick and Morty.”
In a large Zoom meeting with the show’s cast and crew, there was a heartfelt discussion about whether the series should continue amidst these allegations. Parnell expressed that it was disheartening for everyone involved, knowing that their hard work could potentially be tainted or associated with something negative. As someone who has poured so much effort into this project, having it possibly be compromised in any way was incredibly demoralizing, he explained.
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2025-05-19 00:25