‘SNL’ Castmember Punkie Johnson Departing After Four Seasons

Saturday Night Live regular Punkie Johnson is leaving the show after four seasons.

Maya Rudolph Returning to 'SNL' to Play Kamala Harris in Election Run-Up

Johnson told the audience Wednesday night at a comedy show in Brooklyn that she wouldn’t be returning to SNL for its landmark 50th season, and followed up with an Instragram v i d e o Thursday explaining why.

After hosting the “Punkie and Friends” show — with some fellow SNL cast and writers in attendance — she asked the audience if anyone had questions. “Everything was going fine until somebody asked, ‘What are you looking forward to next season?'” she says in the post. “I didn’t want to lie to my friends, so I said, ‘Oh, I ain’t comin’ back.'”

She emphasized that there is “no bad blood, no bridges burned, no hard feelings” behind her departure — while also joking that “This is why Dave Chappelle makes people lock up their phones” at his shows. “ SNL was a dream that I didn’t even know I could achieve. I was a part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy, and I am so grateful for it.”

Johnson joined Saturday Night Live as a featured player in 2020 and moved up to the main cast with season 48 in 2022-23.

Jason Reitman's 'Saturday Night Live' Movie Gets New Title Ahead of Fall Release

SNL usually doesn’t announce cast changes until shortly before the season begins, although news broke this week that Maya Rudolph is set to play Vice President Kamala Harris in the run-up to the election. The show’s 50th season is set to premiere Sept. 28.

Johnson’s Instagram post confirming her departure is below.

Chris Kattan to Launch Debut Podcast 'Idiotically Speaking' (Exclusive)