Emil Wakim Confirms He’s Leaving ‘SNL,’ Says It’s a Gut Punch

The shake-up at Saturday Night Live continues. After the departure of cast member Devon Walker and writers Rosebud Baker and Celeste Yim, a fourth departure was confirmed today. Emil Wakim was on the show for just one season before he received the call that he wouldn’t be returning. 

He announced the news in an Instagram post. “I won’t be returning to snl next year. It was a gut punch of a call to get but I’m so grateful for my time there,” Wakim wrote. “I was at six flags celebrating my friend’s 36th birthday and went on a really emotional walk through Bugs Bunny park and stared out across Daffy Duck lake thinking about life.”

Unlike Walker, who framed his departure as something not to be mourned (he said working at SNL was both “really cool” and “toxic as hell”), Wakim seemed more disappointed by the news. Wakim described working at SNL as the “most terrifying, thrilling and rewarding experience of my life” and that he will “miss it dearly.” In his statement he also made sure to thank Lorne Michaels for “taking a chance on me and changing my life.” 

In the comment section, former cast member Chris Redd wrote, “Congrats! You made it to the other side!” Other comics commended Wakim for the success of making it on the show and categorized it as one of many milestones. Fellow SNL cast member Chloe Fineman wrote, “You’re such a star and I’ll miss sitting next to the best dressed man at the table read!!!” 

We did get a hint of what happened behind the scenes, as we did with Walker’s departure announcement. While Wakim didn’t outright call SNL toxic, he did write, "I was so lucky to bring some of myself in there and say things I believed in and I’m excited for whatever chapter comes next. Here’s to making more art without compromise.”

It’s a significant thing to say, especially when one of Wakim’s breakout moments on the show was an appearance on Weekend Update where he didn’t hold back addressing the more destructive side (i.e., U.S. drone warfare) of American patriotism. Wakim, who is Lebanese-American, often addressed his own identity in relation to politics in his stand-up sets. As such, it’s hard not to wonder what compromises were made at Studio 8H. 

Wakim’s departure is also significant in terms of the pattern it’s formed: In the last three years, a featured player has left the show after only one season. Molly Kearney and Chloe Troast were also outed after only one season last year. 

It’s too soon to say what other major changes are coming, but there are plenty more cast members we’re keeping our eye on as we get closer and closer to the Season 51 premiere.