After a groundbreaking 50th season of Saturday Night Live, the show's iconic creator Lorne Michaels is making some surprising changes, leaving fans and former cast members reeling.

Punkie Johnson, who graced the SNL stage from 2020 to 2024, expressed her astonishment over the sudden departures of fellow cast members Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow. In heartfelt Instagram messages, she rallied behind them during this unexpected upheaval.

To Devon Walker, she wrote, "Welcome back Dev. It’s fun outside baby… love u!" Her glowing praise for Emil Wakim was moving: "You beautiful man… This is a shocker to us all I’m sure… We should stand at the doors of 30 Rock and act a fool for you… Keep your head up baby… Let’s play outside… it’s been fun."

When it came to Michael Longfellow, Johnson's reaction was raw and emotional: "WTF is happening… This is like the departed… My sexy handsome work husband… I love you so much… I’ll call you… Welcome back outside baby… I’ll see you out here soon." Her support extended to writer Rosebud Baker as well, whom she affectionately dubbed "Rosebud for life… welcome back to outside stank… we having a good time."

This wave of exits also included cast member Heidi Gardner and writer Celeste Yim, further igniting speculation about the future direction of SNL. As the show navigates these changes, fans eagerly await what’s next in the world of late-night comedy.