A trio of SNL veterans may be departing Studio 8H this weekend when the late-night sketch comedy show closes its 38th season. One is definitely confirmed to make an exit and that’s Bill Hader. The talented comedian-actor joined the cast of SNL as a featured player in 2005 and a year later he became a main member of the cast. After eights years of so many laughs (his wildly outrageous Weekend Update character Stefon will forever remain in our hearts) Hader is ready to leave his game-show host personas and impressive impersonations (James Carville and Clint Eastwood come to mind) behind.
“It was a hard decision, but it has to happen at some point,” Hader told The New York Times. “It got to a point where I said, ‘Maybe it’s just time to go.’ ”
This Saturday’s episode will be Hader’s last. But what about Jason Sudeikis, who has been fiddling with the idea of leaving the show since last year, and Fred Armisen, a 10-year vet? A New York Post article claims they will be joining Hader on the outs, but the report has not been confirmed by the actors or SNL boss Lorne Michaels.
Michaels praised Hader’s tenure with the Times. “He was so completely committed to the art of it, and enough a student of it, that there’s something strikingly original. He didn’t explode onto the air, but gradually he found his voice, and that became a huge thing.” He also commented on the rumors involving Sudeikis and Armisen. “I think they’re making their decisions, and we’ll know soon enough. I’ve said what I wanted to say to both. You never keep anybody there who doesn’t want to be there, and there is a right time to leave, but it’s more about where they are in their lives.”
Bill is one of the best talents to grace 30 Rock’s Studio 8H and he will sorely be missed next season. And if Fred and Jason leave too, next year one will be one of transition for the long-running sketch show. Also departing in early 2014 is Seth Meyers who is leaving the Weekend Update desk to take over NBC’s Late Night when Jimmy Fallon moves to The Tonight Show.
Update: Armisen and Sudeikis are joining Hader in not returning to SNL next season.
