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Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah Leaving ‘Saturday Night Live’ Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah Leaving ‘Saturday Night Live’
(about 11 hours later)
At least two longstanding cast members of “Saturday Night Live” will not be returning to the show when NBC’s sketch-comedy franchise begins its 42nd season this fall, a press representative for “S.N.L.” confirmed on Monday night.At least two longstanding cast members of “Saturday Night Live” will not be returning to the show when NBC’s sketch-comedy franchise begins its 42nd season this fall, a press representative for “S.N.L.” confirmed on Monday night.
Taran Killam, a six-year veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” told the website Uproxx that, though he still had one year remaining on a seven-year contract, he was not being brought back to the show. Taran Killam, a six-year veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” and Jay Pharoah, who has been the resident impersonator of President Obama and Ben Carson at “S.N.L.,” will both be leaving the show, first reported by TV Line.
Additionally, Jon Rudnitsky, who appeared as a featured player during the 2015-16 season, will not be returning to the show, NBC confirmed.
Mr. Killam told the website Uproxx that, though he still had one year remaining on a seven-year contract, he was not being brought back to the show.
“I had sort of had it in my head I would make this upcoming year my last year, but then heard they weren’t going to pick up my contract,” Mr. Killam said in the Uproxx interview. “I was never given a reason why, really. I can assume until the cows come home.”“I had sort of had it in my head I would make this upcoming year my last year, but then heard they weren’t going to pick up my contract,” Mr. Killam said in the Uproxx interview. “I was never given a reason why, really. I can assume until the cows come home.”
Mr. Killam, an alumnus of the Groundlings comedy troupe, joined “Saturday Night Live” as a featured player in 2010 and became a member of its main cast in 2012. During his time on “S.N.L.” he developed a roster of celebrity impersonations that included Michael Cera and Brad Pitt, as well as political figures like Senator Ted Cruz and Speaker Paul D. Ryan. He briefly played the Republican presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, but ceded that role to Darrell Hammond, who has played Mr. Trump for several decades.Mr. Killam, an alumnus of the Groundlings comedy troupe, joined “Saturday Night Live” as a featured player in 2010 and became a member of its main cast in 2012. During his time on “S.N.L.” he developed a roster of celebrity impersonations that included Michael Cera and Brad Pitt, as well as political figures like Senator Ted Cruz and Speaker Paul D. Ryan. He briefly played the Republican presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump, but ceded that role to Darrell Hammond, who has played Mr. Trump for several decades.
Lauren Roseman of NBC also confirmed the departure of Jay Pharoah, who has been the resident impersonator of President Obama and Ben Carson at “S.N.L.” Mr. Pharoah, a stand-up comedian, began appearing as a featured player in 2010 and was promoted to the main cast in 2012. A representative for Mr. Pharoah declined further comment on Monday night. Lauren Roseman of NBC also confirmed the departure of Mr. Pharoah, a stand-up comedian who began appearing as a featured player in 2010 and was promoted to the main cast in 2012. A representative for Mr. Pharoah declined further comment on Monday night, and representatives for Mr. Rudnitsky did not immediately respond to requests for comment.