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Punkie Johnson says her ‘Saturday Night Live’ days are over: ‘I ain’t coming back’

BBG News

As a devoted admirer of the vibrant world of comedy, I find myself deeply moved by Punkie Johnson’s decision to part ways with Saturday Night Live after four exhilarating years. Her journey from stand-up stages to the hallowed halls of Studio 8H is a testament to her unwavering dedication and boundless talent.

Punkie Johnson has bid “Saturday Night Live” farewell after four years in its cast.

The performer, who became part of the iconic NBC comedy program back in 2020, revealed on Thursday that she won’t rejoin the cast for Season 50 this fall. She initially shared this news at a recent stand-up gig.

At the close of the performance, I invited questions from the audience, and things were running smoothly until someone posed, “What are you excited for next season?” Johnson replied in an Instagram post, confessing to his followers, “To be honest, I won’t be returning.”

Shortly following her comedy performance, Johnson revealed that her phone started receiving numerous calls, messages, and alerts concerning her exit. She eased the concerns of her followers by stating that her choice to depart the show was not due to any animosity or conflicts.

As I bid goodbye, there was no bitterness left unsaid, no resentment held close. Instead, it’s all about the love for my kin, my tribe. And let me clarify, I didn’t anticipate such a big response to my decision to move on.

The news about the “Bottoms” and “Love Live” actor leaving has surfaced, coinciding with rumors that Maya Rudolph, a former SNL star, will once again play her Emmy-winning role as Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 election season. Johnson played Harris during Season 49. (Paraphrased)

As a dedicated cinephile, I jumped on board with “SNL” as a featured player back in 2020, and since then, I’ve been climbing the ladder of success. In 2022, I was promoted to repertory status – a significant milestone for me. Notably, I am now the eighth Black woman to grace the SNL stage throughout its storied history. Additionally, I share this distinction with comedian Danitra Vance, who paved the way as an LGBTQ+ cast member in the mid-1980s but chose not to publicly identify during her tenure.

Johnson will persistently entertain crowds with her humor during the Childish & Petty tour. Yet, she admitted, “Saturday Night Live was a dream I never realized I could fulfill.”

“She was a member of one of the top-tier comedy groups, and she’s incredibly thankful for that experience. She still considers them her friends, and she cherishes them. She mentioned that she would be acting quite foolish at the post-events. Her time with them has concluded, but it seems she’ll continue to channel ‘Punkie’.”

As someone who has spent years watching and admiring “Saturday Night Live,” I was genuinely thrilled to learn that Molly Kearney joined the show as its first nonbinary cast member in 2022. Having grown up dreaming of being a part of this comedy institution, I can only imagine how surreal it must have been for them to step out of Studio 8H’s door this week.

“I’m deeply appreciative for this phase in my journey. A wealth of affection to all my kind-hearted companions who turn each week into something extraordinary, it’s truly remarkable! With so many wigs to wear and limited time, it was an immense privilege to collaborate with such a gifted team of writers, and speaking of the cast, I could go on and on!”

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2024-08-04 18:07

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