Devon Walker explained why he described Saturday Night Live as “toxic as hell” in an Instagram post announcing his departure from the show last month.
In an interview with Variety, the comedian explained that the NBC sketch series “hasn’t changed much” in the 50 years since its debut. Walker, 34, added that “there is a measure of humanity” that the producers behind the show “could benefit from.” He then pointed to the casting decisions, which are often left until late summer, just weeks before the season premiere.
“What ends up happening over the summer is oftentimes people are left hanging with big life decisions — people trying to start families or buy homes — and there’s no word from the show about whether they have their job,” Walker explained. “The show won’t tell them all summer and then will ultimately end up firing them when there’s been months of them trying to work their situation out.”
Walker clarified that his situation was not like that.
“If there’s one thing I hope for the future of the show, it’s that a sprinkle of humanity could be added into it,” he added. “I understand it’s show business and it’s cutthroat, but people have lives, and people deserve to know the status of their job at a reasonable juncture. Most people are told they’re coming back to work in a week.”
Several ‘SNL’ Cast Members Were Seemingly Blindsided
On Aug. 25, Walker announced his departure from SNL after three seasons. He later told Rolling Stone it was a mutual decision.
Other departing cast members revealed their exits were not of their own accord. Former cast member Emil Wakim posted to Instagram to share that his departure news was “a gut punch of a call to get.”
Three-season veteran Michael Longfellow also hinted he was fired, telling fans on social media, “Will not be returning for a 4th season at SNL. Wish I was but, so it goes.”
In addition, longtime cast member Heidi Gardner’s contract was reportedly not renewed, according to The New Post.
Remaining SNL cast members ahead of Season 51 include Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernandez, Ego Nwodim, James Austin Johnson, Bowen Yang, Sarah Sherman, and featured players Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline.
Saturday Night Live returns to NBC on Oct. 4.
