Who’s Leaving ‘Saturday Night Live’ After Season 50? A Comprehensive Analysis

New York Post - May 13th, 2025
Open on New York Post

As Saturday Night Live (SNL) nears the end of its historic 50th season, speculation about cast turnover for the upcoming Season 51 is already underway. The long-running sketch comedy show, which has maintained a large ensemble cast for over a decade, faces inevitable changes with each new season. Historically, SNL experiences departures of longer-tenured stars after seven to ten seasons, while newer members might not see their contracts renewed. With 17 current cast members, the upcoming summer will be filled with discussions about who might stay or leave, though definitive answers are unlikely until fall 2025. Regulars like Andrew Dismukes, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, and Sarah Sherman are expected to return due to their established roles, while the departures of other cast members remain uncertain.

The context of these potential changes lies in the evolving SNL talent system, which has historically led to departures and new additions that define each season's character. Despite the unpredictable nature of cast changes, certain patterns have emerged over the years. For example, notable veterans like Bowen Yang and Ego Nwodim, though nearing the typical departure timeframe, are likely to stay longer, continuing a trend where cast members enjoy longer tenures. Meanwhile, the show's longest-serving member, Kenan Thompson, approaches a record 25 seasons, further solidifying his place in SNL history. The ongoing speculation and resultant cast shifts underscore SNL's dynamic nature and its ability to adapt and evolve with each passing season.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and engaging look at potential cast changes for *Saturday Night Live* following its 50th season. It accurately reflects historical trends in cast size and tenure, though its predictions remain speculative without direct sourcing. The story maintains balance by presenting various potential outcomes, but it could benefit from more transparency in distinguishing fact from conjecture. While the article is highly readable and likely to engage fans, its impact is primarily limited to entertainment discussions rather than broader societal issues. Overall, it is a well-structured piece that effectively communicates its main points, though it would gain from enhanced source quality and transparency.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents a detailed account of the potential cast changes for *Saturday Night Live* (SNL) following its 50th season. It accurately mentions the current cast size of 17 members, which aligns with the historical trend of having large casts over the past decade. The claim that the last time the cast had fewer than 15 members was in Season 38 is consistent with available data. The article correctly identifies that the last season with no cast departures was Season 46, following a pandemic-affected Season 45. However, the prediction about the number of cast members likely to leave (two to five) is speculative and lacks concrete evidence, which is a common issue in entertainment reporting. The article also accurately discusses the tenure of specific cast members, such as Kenan Thompson's long-standing presence on the show, which is a verifiable fact. Overall, while the story provides a plausible account, some predictions remain speculative and would benefit from more direct sourcing or evidence.

7
Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective by discussing various potential outcomes for the SNL cast without overt bias. It covers both the likelihood of certain cast members staying and the possibility of others leaving, providing a comprehensive view of the situation. However, the focus is primarily on the cast dynamics and less on the external factors that might influence these changes, such as network decisions or broader industry trends. The story could benefit from including perspectives on how these potential changes might impact the show's content or viewer ratings. Additionally, while it mentions the established roles of certain cast members, it doesn't delve into the reasons behind the turnover or how these decisions are made, which could provide a more rounded view.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and easy to follow, with a clear focus on the potential cast changes for SNL. It logically progresses from discussing the current cast situation to speculating about future changes. The language is straightforward and accessible, making the content comprehensible to a general audience. However, the speculative nature of some claims could have been more explicitly stated to enhance clarity. Overall, the article effectively communicates its main points without unnecessary jargon or complexity.

6
Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite sources or provide attribution for its claims, which affects its credibility. The information appears to be based on industry knowledge and historical patterns rather than firsthand accounts or insider information. While the analysis of cast members' roles and tenure seems accurate, the lack of direct quotes or references to interviews with cast members or showrunners limits the reliability of the predictions. The story would benefit from incorporating insights from industry experts or official statements from NBC or SNL representatives to enhance its authority and trustworthiness.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of how its conclusions are drawn. It does not clarify the methodology behind predicting cast departures or the basis for its assertions about cast stability. The speculative nature of the predictions is not clearly delineated from factual reporting, which could mislead readers into interpreting conjecture as fact. The story would benefit from a clearer distinction between what is known and what is hypothesized, as well as an explanation of the factors influencing these predictions, such as contract lengths or industry trends.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live_season_50
  2. https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/snl-season-50-cast-members-2024-2025
  3. https://parade.com/tv/saturday-night-live-cast-season-50
  4. https://www.tvinsider.com/1147530/saturday-night-live-season-50-cast-changes-hosts-musical-guests-details/
  5. https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/7-saturday-night-live-stars-most-likely-to-leave-after-season-50/