Laraine Newman, an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, shares her insights on the show’s evolving landscape and recent cast changes.
Laraine Newman Reflects on SNL Cast Changes
Nearly 50 years after debuting as an original cast member on Saturday Night Live, Laraine Newman remains a devoted fan of the NBC sketch comedy series and closely monitors its evolution.
Newman’s Perspective on Evolution
Newman, known for iconic SNL characters like Connie Conehead and Valley Girl Sherry, shared with The Hollywood Reporter her appreciation for the show’s ability to adapt over the decades. With season 51 set to premiere on October 4, recent headlines have highlighted significant cast changes.
“What’s thrilling about SNL, and the reason I think it’s had its longevity, is that it has absolutely evolved with the time, with the generation, with the style and tone of each new comic voice that came along,” Newman stated. She specifically praised new cast member Veronika Slowikowska, noting her impressive background in streaming and TikTok.
Surprising Departures
Many fans expressed shock at the news that performers like Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and John Higgins will not return for the new season. Joining the cast this season alongside Slowikowska are Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, Jeremy Culhane, and Tommy Brennan.
Newman’s Sentiments on Departures
“I was very sad to see Michael Longfellow go,” Newman remarked. Her children, including Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, were familiar with Longfellow’s work before he joined SNL in 2022. However, she is optimistic that former cast members will continue to thrive: “What I’ve noticed about [former SNL] people is, they always thrive.”
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Newman cited Tim Robinson, a former cast member now known for the Netflix series I Think You Should Leave, as an example of success post-SNL.
Changes Over the Years
Cast shake-ups have become routine on SNL, but Newman noted that performers in her era didn’t worry about such changes. As one of the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players,” she recalls, “That was the time when Lorne didn’t fire people.”
Newman, who left the show after five seasons, is a founding member of the Groundlings and has appeared in films like The Flintstones and voiced characters in Pixar films such as Finding Nemo and Inside Out. As a board member for San Francisco Sketchfest, she eagerly anticipates the new SNL faces and their contributions.
