Punkie Johnson on leaving SNL

Comedian Punkie Johnson has decided to leave “Saturday Night Live” ahead of its 50th season, citing feelings of not fitting in with the show’s environment. In an interview on the “Fly on the Wall” podcast with SNL veterans David Spade and Dana Carvey, Johnson explained that she began questioning her place on the show before Season 49 but ultimately decided to stay for that season. Despite early successes in getting several sketches on air, Johnson felt out of place, particularly after her writer, Ben Silva, left. She expressed that her background in stand-up comedy differed from many of her colleagues, who had formal training in sketch comedy. Johnson, who joined SNL in 2020, concluded that the show is “for a different type of person,” leading to her decision to move on.

Source: Variety