Devon Walker Explains His SNL Exit, From “Toxic” Moments to Mutual Goodbye
Devon Walker says he and Saturday Night Live mutually decided to part ways, clarifying his exit after describing parts of the experience as toxic in a candid Instagram post and a new Rolling Stone interview.
Hi, I am Jordan Collins, here to guide you through this SNL shakeup you probably should have pieced together by now. Since you did not, I will break it down so you can sound informed at brunch.
The headline you came for: Walker, who joined SNL in 2022, told Rolling Stone that he and the show essentially looked at each other and agreed it was time to end the run. His words were simple and pointed. He felt ready to leave, and he believes the show felt ready for him to do the same. That is not drama, that is clarity. If you are searching for a smoking gun, Walker is not handing it to you. What he does offer is context about time, life, and creative bandwidth.
The context you needed: SNL is a serious time commitment. Walker called it both a life commitment and a big one at that, noting he missed out on life events while grinding through the weekly gauntlet. He said he wanted to try a different version of his life, which is a polite way of saying he is ready to make things that look more like what he truly wants to do. That tracks with how many cast members eventually move on, and it lines up with the broader housecleaning SNL is doing going into Season 51. Lorne Michaels has already confirmed a shakeup, and multiple cast departures followed Walker’s announcement, including Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Heidi Gardner. Yes, it is a changing of the guard. No, you should not be shocked.
About that “toxic” label: Walker’s Instagram announcement did not tiptoe around the bad days. He wrote that sometimes the job was toxic as hell. Before you clutch your pearls, he also framed the experience as a chaotic but close-knit dynamic. His phrase for it was a messed up little family, and it reads like an acknowledgment that an intense, high-pressure workplace at times gets messy. Rolling Stone is where he reiterated that he is grateful for the bonds, the shorthand, and the alumni network. He even nodded to Adam Sandler as an example of that shared understanding. Translation for those in the back: it was tough sometimes, but it was also meaningful.
What he said about Lorne: The part that will make SNL diehards exhale is Walker’s praise for Lorne Michaels. He said the best part of working with Lorne was, frankly, getting hired by him. Why? Because the same person who handpicked Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Tracy Morgan, and Tina Fey also chose him. That vote of confidence clearly matters to Walker, and he says he will carry it with him. Hardly the posture of someone burning bridges.
What comes next: Walker is not limping out the door. He called SNL a blessing, admitted he was not specifically training for sketch comedy, and chalked his casting up to a fortunate happenstance. More importantly, he teased that while he is proud of what he did on the show, the work he really wants to make is coming. If you are hearing the faint drumroll of stand-up tours, scripted projects, or a streaming special, you are not alone. He is genuinely excited for the next phase, and that excitement reads as credible, not canned.
Why this matters for SNL: Season 51 is shaping up to be a recalibration. With multiple exits and a public acknowledgment of a shakeup, the show is redefining its core cast and creative focus. Walker’s departure slots into that timeline cleanly. His framing of mutual timing matches what fans are seeing across the roster. Rolling Stone provides the first-person nuance, while his Instagram post gives the emotional temperature check. Put those together and the narrative is straightforward. No conspiracy board required.
The bottom line you can quote: Walker did not storm out. He did not trash the institution. He called parts of the job toxic, yes, but he also praised the community, the alumni bonds, and the Lorne effect. He is turning the page on a high-profile chapter to prioritize life and creative control. And if you have paid any attention to SNL alumni trajectories, you know that is often where the most interesting work begins.
Keep your eyes on two things. First, how Season 51 fills the gaps and whether the new mix shifts the show’s tone. Second, what Walker announces next and whether his post-SNL projects show the version of his voice he could not fully flex inside Studio 8H. Glad I could lay that out so you do not have to pretend-read three different tabs.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Rolling Stone, New York Post, Instagram
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