Punkie Johnson Reacts to SNL Cast Shake-Up

Saturday Night Live alum Punkie Johnson is reacting to the show parting ways with several prominent — and beloved — cast members.

“wtf is happening… This is like the departed… My sexy handsome work husband… I love you so much…I’ll call you…” Johnson, 40, wrote in the comments section of a Thursday, August 28, Instagram post announcing that SNL had parted ways with Michael Longfellow after three seasons. “Welcome back outside baby…. I’ll see you out here soon.”

Johnson — who was on SNL for four seasons from 2020 to 2024 — seemed as surprised as the rest of Us after SNL announced it has parted ways with several cast members, including Emil Wakim, Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker and SNL writer Rosebud Baker.

“To me, jobs in this industry feel like a bunch of little marriages. Some of em last for a long time if we’re lucky, but most of them are fleeting. Permanent until they’re not. That’s the deal. You know what it is it when you sign up,” Walker, 34, wrote via Instagram, announcing his exit from the show.

“Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we did what we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a f***ed up lil family,” he continued. “Anyway, I’m bout to go to Japan. When I get back I’m tryna be in a prestige drama. Ideally something with Julianne Moore. Hope y’all staying hydrated and getting some money today.”

Johnson commented on Walker’s exit, writing in the comments section of an Instagram post about the comedian’s departure, “Welcome back Dev. It’s fun outside baby… love u.”

Johnson also sent well wishes to Gardner, 42, who is leaving the show after eight seasons.

“Ahhhhhh Lawd not my Heidi,” Johnson wrote in the comments section of an Instagram post dedicated to Gardner, shared following the news of her surprising exit. “This probly [sic] the biggest surprise of this ‘shake up’ Heidi you are my shining star… You had a great run and I admire everything about you. CONGRATULATIONS HEIDI… YOU ARE AN SNL LEGEND FOR LIFE… See you outside.”

Johnson seemed especially surprised that Wakim, 27, was leaving SNL after only one season on the show.

Related: Devon Walker Announces Exit From ‘SNL’: ‘Sometimes It Was Toxic’ 

Devon Walker is leaving Saturday Night Live. The comedian, 34, announced his departure via Instagram on Monday, August 25, posting a selfie in front of a flatscreen TV that showed the NBC sketch comedy’s logo. “Me and my baby broke up ❤️,” Walker captioned the post. He had joined SNL as a featured player in […]

“You beautiful man… this is a shocker to us all I’m sure,” Johnson wrote in the comments section of another Instagram post. “We should stand at the doors of 30 Rock and act a fool for you… Keep your head up baby… Let’s play outside.. it’s been fun.”

As for Johnson, the former cast member described her leaving SNL as “a neutral thing” while appearing on the “Fly on the Wall” podcast.

“By February of last season, I was like, nope, I’m done,” the comedian recalled at the time. “The season before that, I questioned it, I talked to my team, like, ‘I don’t really know if I belong at this job, so maybe I should step away.’ I told them super, super late, right after I found out I’d get to go back. They’re like, ‘Punkie, you need a plan, you can’t just quit your job!’”