Saturday Night Live’s recent season finale saw Pete Davidson leave the show alongside other cast members like Kate McKinnon. These departures came after months of speculation, which especially swirled around Davidson. What’s still interesting, however, is the lengthy stints the stars had on the show. SNL tenures were arguably shorter back in the day, just ask series alum David Spade. Following the most recent exits, Spade explained why it’s wild that people like Davidson stay for eight or more years.
During SNL’s 1990s rebirth, the Just Shoot Me actor, along with Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Chris Rock, and other players didn’t stay at 30 Rockefeller Plaza too long. David Spade stayed with the sketch series for six years before his film and TV career took off. That was the usual trajectory for most Saturday Night Live alums. But in recent times, viewers have seen cast members stay much longer. When speaking to TMZ, Spade admitted that he wouldn’t have been able to stick around too long:
Well listen, people stay longer now. I stayed four years, no I think six. I think Sandler stayed five, Farley five… I think people leave because it’s such a fucking beating, you know? It’s tough on the brains and it’s tough on the body. And it’s just a hard place to be. The ones that go 8, 9, 10 years, I can’t even believe it.
He’s correct to a certain extent. Watching any SNL sketch is like seeing a theatrical performance in real-time. There are so many moving parts, from cast members pitching and writing their own material to them later having to nail their lines without breaking character. And then, of course, all of this is done before a live studio audience, which can be daunting on its own. So yeah, there’s a lot that comes with the gig.
Aside from the work itself, many also tend to leave due to offers brought upon by one’s rising star status. In the 1990s and 2000s, cast members would adjust to the sitcom realm (like David Spade) and many also start venturing into film. Eventually, they would have to choose between the late-night series and their career. Of course, their red-hot career would win out, and they would leave. Viewers saw that with Spade, Sandler, Will Ferrell, and many more. In other cases, a huge overhaul would happen, and certain players were let go.
But SNL’s culture has shifted as more members stay longer (the show’s longest-running cast member Kenan Thompson reached a major milestone). Viewers have seen members like Davidson and McKinnon balance their time between the show and outside projects. This allowed certain staple players to float in and out as they wished. They’ve even seen past alum like Maya Rudolph return to much fanfare. So, it appeared the sketch comedy series has opened up to the talent pursuing film and TV projects while maintaining a steady presence.
Now, the series must focus on auditioning new members to replace the departed ones (or elevating some feature players) for Season 48. Nothing will be confirmed until Saturday Night Live premieres this Fall. To keep up to date with any SNL developments, check back with CinemaBlend to find out the premiere date and cast announcements. in the meantime, you can find out what new and returning shows are premiering over the summer.
