Devon Walker is bidding adieu to "Saturday Night Live," marking the end of his three-season run with the iconic NBC sketch comedy show. On Monday, August 25th, the comedian made the announcement through an Instagram post captioned, "me and baby broke up," where he reminisced about his journey and candidly admitted, "Sometimes it was toxic as hell."
In a computer note titled, "wait..did he quit or did he get fired?", Walker, 34, penned his thoughts with a touch of humor and honesty. "Jobs in this industry are like a series of mini-marriages," he began. "Some endure for ages if we're fortunate, but most are fleeting, lasting only until they're not. That's just the way it is. You sign up knowing the deal."
He continued, "Me and the show spent three years together, and it was a rollercoaster ride. Some moments were absolute bliss, while others were, quite literally, toxic. But we made the best of it, even amidst the chaos. We created a flawed but loving lil family."
Walker added, "More than anything, I'm thrilled to have shared this journey with Gary and Alex. We've come a long way, from running a bar show to collaborating at 30 Rock! It's been beautiful. And hey, look at me in that picture – I'm glammed up and feeling fabulous! It's important for people to see my glow-up."
He concluded, "Anyhow, I'm off to Japan next. When I return, I aspire to be part of a prestigious drama, ideally alongside Julianne Moore. Stay hydrated and make those dollars, folks!"
Walker's talent was recognized, and he was eventually promoted to the main cast in 2024. Over the years, he left his mark on numerous sketches and co-anchored "Weekend Update" with Colin Jost and Michael Che. His impressive celebrity impersonations ranged from New York Mayor Eric Adams to Michael Strahan and Van Jones.
As the new season of "SNL" gears up for its October 4th premiere, showrunner Lorne Michaels, 80, hinted at significant casting shake-ups during an interview with Puck News on August 22nd. "Yes, there will be changes," he confirmed, adding, "The announcement will come in a week or so."
Michaels explained his decision to delay major cast changes to ensure the show's 50th anniversary season stole the spotlight. "I wanted everyone to be part of this milestone," he said, noting the returns of Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, and Maya Rudolph for special episodes. "And with an election year, it was crucial to avoid disruptions."
Michaels also confirmed that James Austin Johnson would continue portraying Donald Trump, a role famously essayed by Alec Baldwin during the 2016 election and Trump's presidency.
Speaking to Page Six, Kenan Thompson described the season 50 finale as "bittersweet," hinting at potential changes ahead. "You want everyone to stay, knowing that decisions are being made over the summer," he said. "It's like wanting your kids to stay young forever."
With 22 seasons under his belt, Thompson emphasized, "The future is uncertain. I don't want to hinder someone else's growth or be that stale old man clinging to the past. Thankfully, that's not common at 'SNL,' but there are no guarantees."
"Saturday Night Live" season 51 kicks off on Saturday, October 4th, at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
