Punkie Johnson Leaving ‘Saturday Night Live’: ‘My Time Has Come to an End’
variety.comEthan Shanfeld Punkie Johnson is leaving “Saturday Night Live” after four seasons. Johnson apparently broke the news to an audience at a stand-up comedy show at Brooklyn’s Union Hall on July 31, at which fellow “SNL” cast members Molly Kearny, Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow were also on the lineup.
Johnson confirmed her exit in a video posted to Instagram on Thursday. “After four seasons, I will not be returning to ‘SNL’ for the 50th,” Johnson said, adding that when she took an audience question at her stand-up show about whether she was excited for the next season of the NBC sketch comedy series, she said, “Oh, I ain’t coming back.” “It’s no bad blood, it’s no bridges burned, it’s no hard feelings,” Johnson continued. “Bro, I love my people!
I didn’t think none of this was going to be a big deal.” “‘SNL’ was a dream I didn’t even know that I could achieve. I was a part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy, and I am so grateful for it.
That’s still my people. I love them. I’m gonna be at the after parties acting a plumb fool!” Johnson said, concluding with, “My time now has come to an end, and, um, Punkie outside now, y’all!” Neither a spokesperson for “SNL,” nor Johnson’s agents and managers, could be reached for comment.
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