Bowen Yang addresses ‘SNL’ costar Heidi Gardner’s shock exit amid cast cuts

Bowen Yang Pays Emotional Tribute to Heidi Gardner Following Her Surprise Exit from ‘Saturday Night Live’
NEW YORK, USA – Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang has broken his silence on the shocking departure of longtime cast member Heidi Gardner, who was among several performers let go in a major cast overhaul ahead of the show’s 51st season. Yang, who will return to the show, praised Gardner as “one of the greats” in an emotional tribute on his podcast Las Culturistas .

🎭 Yang’s Tribute to Gardner’s Legacy

1. “One of the Greats”:

   • Yang declared Gardner would “go down in history” for her eight-season tenure on SNL, highlighting her unique ability to write sketches solo—a rarity among cast members. He noted, “It’s always a very, very vulnerable thing as a cast member to put only your name on it. But anytime you saw just ‘Gardner,’ you knew you were in good hands” .

2. Support for Fellow Cast Members:

   • Yang recalled Gardner writing a Weekend Update segment for former cast member Punkie Johnson, calling it “one of the most beautiful, kindest gestures I’ve ever seen at that show” and emphasizing her “big heart” and comedic brilliance .

3. Pandemic Leadership:

   • During COVID-19, Gardner initiated daily group texts where cast members shared “something that made us smile,” providing emotional support during isolation. Yang credited this as a critical “foothold” for the cast .

🔁 Context of the Cast Shake-Up

1. Exit Announcements:

   • Gardner’s departure, first reported by The New York Post, was part of a broader wave of exits including Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and writer John Higgins. Their contracts were not renewed for Season 51 .

2. New Additions:

   • Five new cast members will join SNL for the upcoming season, including Ben Marshall (of Please Don’t Destroy), Veronika Slowikowska, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, and Kam Patterson .

3. Lorne Michaels’ Vision:

   • Show creator Lorne Michaels had teased a “significant shake-up” to revitalize the series, stating, “It’s time for a new cast” .

💬 Reactions and Industry Impact

1. Yang’s Bittersweet Return:

   • While expressing excitement to return for his seventh season, Yang admitted, “I will miss the people who are not coming back very, very much,” and praised the departed cast as “A+ gems” .

2. Walker’s Candid Remarks:

   • Devon Walker compared his SNL experience to a “toxic” marriage in an Instagram post, writing, “Sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we made a f**ed up lil family”* .

3. Audience Response:

   • Fans expressed outrage online, with some calling for the show’s cancellation amid the exits. Gardner’s absence leaves a void in Weekend Update segments, where her character Bailey Gismert was a fan favorite .

📺 Looking Ahead to Season 51

• SNL Season 51 premieres October 4, 2025, on NBC and Peacock. The new cast will join veterans like Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang, Ego Nwodim, and Sarah Sherman .

• Gardner’s exit marks the end of an era for one of the show’s most versatile performers, known for impressions of Reba McEntire, Mikey Madison, and Kim Kardashian .

💎 Conclusion

Bowen Yang’s heartfelt tribute underscores the emotional toll of SNL’s cast restructuring, particularly the loss of Heidi Gardner, whose talent and kindness left an indelible mark on the show. As SNL navigates this transition, the departures reflect both the relentless evolution of live comedy and the personal bonds forged behind the scenes. Gardner’s legacy as a “true anchor” of the series will endure, even as new voices take the stage