Andy Samberg Not Returning to Saturday Night Live

Say goodbye to Shy Ronnie.

Andy Samberg, who played this character as well as many others, will not be returning to Saturday Night Live (SNL).

Samberg confirmed the news on Friday (June 1) in a phone interview with The New York Times, stating he will not be returning for what would be his eighth season.

“It’s an incredibly emotional and strange moment in my life,” Samberg said. “Obviously it’s not a huge shock, but I did officially decide not to come back.”

Following the footsteps of fellow cast member, Kristen Wiig, who publically departed from the show this past season, the comedian felt like it was his time to move on.

“She kept saying it just feels like it’s her time,” Mr. Samberg said of Wiig. “I connect with that. Something about it just feels like it’s the moment. My contract’s up and I did so much more than I ever thought I would ever even do.”

While it’s not clear whether Samberg will fully transition into a cinematic career, he does have summer roles in both That’s My Boy with Adam Sandler out June 15th, and Celeste and Jesse Forever out August 3rd.

As of right now, he hopes to dodge the questions about him becoming a possible future host.

“Well, hopefully things will work out well enough that they’ll want me,” he said.

Samberg also hopes he’ll be able to return to SNL from time to time to resurrect his popular digital shorts with The Lonely Island.
“That’s the kind of thing that I really do hope happens,” he said.