"I've never known why it happened” - Chris Parnell recalls being fired and rehired from SNL

It’s not new in the world of Saturday Night Live (SNL) for its cast members to get fired. However Chris Parnell’s situation is a bit unique. The American comedian and actor has been fired not once, but twice from SNL.

Appearing on The Patrick LabyorSheaux With Patrick Labyorteaux, Chris Parnell discussed his career in comedy and voice acting, including work on Rick and Morty, Archer, and Dawn of the Croods. The interview also addressed a significant event during his tenure on Saturday Night Live.

"I've never known why it happened exactly. It was a big shocker. [Cast members are] supposed to find out at the end of June whether our contract had been renewed," Parnell shared.

"It was never at the end of June. We would hear from our agents, you know, 'Lorne hasn't decided yet. Can you just wait a few more weeks?' Like, what are you going to say, 'No, I need an answer now!'" he added.

Chris Parnell shares his memory, being fired from SNL:

Chris Parnell’s journey on "Saturday Night Live" began in 1998, when he stepped in as a featured player. He was promoted to the main cast the following year, earning his spot with standout moments in sketches like “More Cowbell” and “Lazy Sunday.” But by 2001, that momentum stalled and Parnell was let go from the show, though his departure wouldn’t be permanent.

Chris Parnell then continued his memory of being fired from the show.

"Then I got a call from my manager, saying, 'I don't know what to tell you. They're not going to bring you back.' It was a pretty big hit, and you immediately realize how your own sense of worth is wrapped up in being a Saturday Night Live cast member. Thankfully, I had a few people go to bat for me — Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan apparently went in and talked to Lorne, and then [SNL] writer T. Sean Shannon wrote this scathing piece that really took Lorne and the head producers to task." he explained.

After leaving Saturday Night Live, Chris Parnell moved to Los Angeles, but he didn’t take everything with him. His items remained stored in New York City, a quiet sign that the departure might not be permanent. Later Parnell was back on the show just 12 episodes later, reappearing on March 2, 2002. He stayed on the cast for another four years, until 2006.

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In an interview with Cracked, Chris Parnell was asked how he felt after he was let go the second time on the show.

"They let me go after my eighth season. They were giving me the opportunity to bow out on my own. By then, I’d felt good about the amount of time I’d done there, and I was a little burnt out. But if they were going to give me another season, I wasn’t going to say no. It’s a freaking job, and I liked it. Sure enough, they didn't renew it, but it was okay. It wasn’t a blow that time." Chris Parnell explained.

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