Heidi Gardner exits SNL after eight seasons

Heidi Gardner, the longest-tenured female cast member on SNL, has exited the show ahead of its Season 50 premiere, scheduled on NBC on October 4. Heidi Gardner, who recently appeared on comedian Craig Ferguson's podcast Joy, revealed her departure from the late-night live sketch show after eight seasons as:

“I will say the only thing that I’ve started to feel a little bit is just sketch fatigue, or idea fatigue. At this point, after doing Groundlings and SNL for so long, I’m like, ‘I’ve written a lot of sketches.’”

Heidi Gardner joined the SNL cast in 2017 as a featured cast member and was soon promoted to a regular cast member in 2019. Certainly the most famous cast member in the sketch show currently, Gardner is famously known for her Weekend Update characters on the show and also appeared in more sketches than any other artist in the previous season.

More on this in our story.

SNL veteran Heidi Gardner takes her last bow after eight seasons

Your favorite Weekend Update SNL star Heidi Gardner is exiting the show after a successful run of eight seasons.

The actress and comedian is famously known for playing a variety of characters in the sketch show, including Crystal (Your Co-Worker Who Is Extremely Busy Doing Seemingly Nothing), Mandy, a cousin of a celebrity who shames their movie careers, and Bailey Gismert, a teen film critic who gives weird reviews.

While Gardner's exit is surprising and one of the biggest cast shake-ups in SNL as it moves towards its 50th season, it's not the only departure. Earlier, three other cast members announced their exits from the live late show as it approaches its 50th season, including Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow.

Outside of SNL, Heidi Gardner recently appeared in Apple TV's Emmy-nominated comedy series Shrinking. She played the character of Grace, one of Jimmy Laird's (Jason Segel) patients. In addition, she has also made guest appearances on many shows, including Superstore, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Is It Cake? She is also known for her voice roles in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Leo.

Announcing her departure on Instagram, Heidi Gardener wrote,

“My heart is so full being with this vibrant family of mine. The things we do remind me of the fun of the past. The things we experience together keep me present and watching each person be their authentic self makes me so hopeful for the future.''

Following Gardner's departure, SNL will return for its 50th season with the current cast, which includes Michael Che, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, and Colin Jost.

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