Devon Walker Called SNL ‘Toxic As Hell.’ Now He’s Explaining One Way The Show Could Add ‘A Sprinkle Of Humanity’

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It’s common knowledge that Saturday Night Live is a highly competitive work environment. As its return approaches in 2025 and several cast members and writers depart, there has been increased interest in the iconic NBC program, its staff, and their approach to handling cast departures. Devon Walker, one of the departing cast members, previously revealed that his experience on the show could be quite toxic at times, even going so far as to call it “hellish.” Now, he is elaborating on why this was the case and offering suggestions for adding a touch of empathy or humanity to certain aspects of the show’s operations.

In simpler terms, Walker, one of the four main cast members, decided to leave Saturday Night Live before the start of Season 51. He made this announcement via an Instagram post, expressing that while it could be enjoyable at times, there were periods when it was incredibly challenging. Using words like “toxic” and referring to his colleagues as a “warped little family,” he acknowledged the toughness of his experience on the show, but also showed appreciation for the years he spent there.

Following that event, he was queried about the factors contributing to the show being “toxic” during a conversation with Variety. To this, he replied:

If you’re familiar with the series, you might notice some problematic aspects that haven’t evolved over time. The show has maintained its consistent pattern throughout its entire run. There are certain episodes or incidents within it that I wouldn’t casually discuss due to their sensitive nature. Additionally, there are several topics related to the show that I’m still figuring out how to delve into further detail about.

In my experience, working on SNL can be intense. The long, late hours and competitive atmosphere take a toll, as comedians constantly strive to deliver their best, week after week, with the hope that their sketch will make it to air. It’s much like Abby Elliott described – a pressure cooker of creativity and performance.

One issue that arises throughout the show’s run involves the changing cast members. Some choose to depart, such as Walker who mutually decided with the production team. However, others may be dismissed, and sometimes, these actors are not informed whether they have been fired or rehired until summer’s end, just before SNL starts anew. This is an aspect that the veteran suggested could benefit from improvement, as he stated.

The show might be enhanced with a touch of human compassion. Over the summer, characters are frequently left in limbo regarding crucial life decisions such as starting families or purchasing homes, without any word from the show about their job status. This leaves them uncertain for months, only to be let go by the show once the summer is over, despite their efforts to resolve their work situation.

Walker further expressed that he found himself unwillingly in this particular circumstance. Yet, he acknowledged that others had been placed in similar situations, leading him to speak up.

In other circumstances, I haven’t experienced that myself, but I’ve heard about cases where similar things have occurred. As for what I wish to see in the future of this series, I hope for a touch of human emotion to be incorporated within it.

It’s clear that, among those who departed recently, a couple of them received surprising news that they would no longer be part of the show.

In the case of Michael Longfellow, he found out from his agent that he wouldn’t be back while he was at the airport waiting to board a flight. Emil Wakim was also let go from SNL ahead of Season 51, and he explained on Instagram that he found out about it while celebrating his friend’s birthday at Six Flags.

In an unfortunate turn of events, these casting changes were disclosed approximately a month before the scheduled October 4 premiere of Saturday Night Live. This was the crux of Walker’s argument – he believes it would be more considerate for the series to inform individuals about their employment status earlier, sparing them from prolonged periods of uncertainty. Although he acknowledges the competitive nature of the industry, he also voiced his opinion that such transparency would be appreciated, making it less stressful for those involved.

It’s clear that the world of show business can be ruthless and uncertain, but everyone involved has personal lives, and they have the right to know about the status of their employment within a fair timeframe. Typically, people are given assurances they will return to work soon, usually after a week.

As a fan, I find it tough to keep up with all these swift changes, so I can hardly fathom how those affected by the news must feel. Therefore, Walker’s viewpoint is utterly clear and convincing.

Given the ongoing discussions about this year’s cast changes, the introduction of five fresh faces on SNL, plus other adjustments such as the split in Please Don’t Destroy, it promises to be intriguing to observe how these hiring and dismissal patterns may adapt over time.

Meanwhile, don’t forget that “Saturday Night Live” resumes on October 4th at 11:30 p.m. ET, broadcasted live from New York. You can watch it on NBC or by subscribing to Peacock.

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2025-09-04 17:21