Overview

• On his Las Culturistas podcast, Yang called Gardner “one of the greats” and “a true anchor,” praising her reliability as a solo sketch writer.
• He cited a “Weekend Update” piece Gardner wrote for Punkie Johnson as an example of her writing for others on the cast.
• Yang recalled Gardner boosting cast morale during the early Covid period by encouraging daily messages about things that made them smile.
• Yang confirmed he will return for Season 51 and shouted out departing castmates Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow.
• Season 51’s reshaped roster includes the exits of Gardner and John Higgins, plus five new featured players: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska, with the show set to return Oct. 4.