Overview

• An anonymous-source report in the New York Post says Heidi Gardner’s ‘SNL’ contract was not renewed, a development echoed in coverage by The Daily Beast.
• Dana Carvey said on his Fly on the Wall podcast that, based on what he read, it was not Gardner’s idea to leave, and co-host David Spade called the move surprising.
• Gardner, 42, was the longest-tenured woman in the cast entering Season 50 and has not issued a public statement, and NBC has not provided a detailed explanation.
• Other departures for Season 51 include Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow, with Walker describing parts of his experience as toxic and calling his exit mutual.
• NBCUniversal announced five new cast members — Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska — as Lorne Michaels pursues a reinvention after the 50th season.