As a fan who has witnessed Punkie Johnson‘s meteoric rise from comedy clubs to the hallowed halls of Saturday Night Live, I must say her decision to part ways with the iconic sketch comedy show after four seasons leaves me feeling a bit like a proud parent watching their child graduate college – a mix of sadness, joy, and immense pride.
Saturday Night Live regular Punkie Johnson is leaving the show after four seasons.
On a comedy stage in Brooklyn on Wednesday evening, Johnson shared with the audience that she won’t be back for the 50th anniversary season of SNL, and on Thursday, she posted an Instagram video clarifying her reasons.
Following the “Punkie and Friends” show, where several SNL cast and writers were present, she inquired if anyone had queries from the audience. However, things took an unexpected turn when someone posed the question, “What are you anticipating for next season?” In her post, she recounts saying, “I wasn’t keen on misleading my friends, so I admitted, ‘Well, I won’t be returning.'”
She underscored the fact that her exit wasn’t rooted in animosity, no relationships were damaged beyond repair, and there were no lingering negative emotions involved — all while playfully noting that “Dave Chappelle has audiences putting their phones away at his performances.” She expressed that working for Saturday Night Live was a dream she never realized she could fulfill. She was part of one of the most prestigious comedy institutions, and she’s incredibly thankful for the experience.
In 2020, Johnson became a featured player on Saturday Night Live, and then ascended to the principal cast during the 2022-23 season.
Typically, Saturday Night Live (SNL) waits until close to the start of a new season to announce cast changes. However, it was recently revealed that Maya Rudolph will portray Vice President Kamala Harris in the lead-up to the election. The show’s 50th season is scheduled to debut on Sept 28.
Johnson’s Instagram post confirming her departure is below.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Punkie Johnson (@punkiejohnson)
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2024-08-02 00:54