Dana Carvey told listeners on the "Fly on the Wall" podcast that, from what he knew, Heidi Gardner’s reported departure from Saturday Night Live was not her decision — a remark that surprised fellow host and SNL alum David Spade.
"From what I know, as of this recording, that it was not her idea to leave," Carvey said on Wednesday’s episode, adding the caveat that he "could be wrong." Spade, visibly taken aback, responded, "That would be a little shocking," and called Gardner "one of the core ones" of the show who "always does a great job."
Multiple outlets have reported that Gardner will not return to SNL for the upcoming season after an eight-year tenure on the sketch comedy program. Gardner has not publicly commented on the reports. Representatives for Gardner did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Carvey and Spade, both SNL alumni who co-host the podcast, framed the exchange as an update based on what Carvey had heard rather than a confirmed fact. Carvey prefaced his remark with a caution that he might be mistaken. The on-air reaction underscored the surprise among some former cast members and fans at the prospect of Gardner’s exit.
Gardner has been a regular presence on SNL’s ensemble and is known for a range of characters and impressions. She also appears in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking. Her reported departure is being counted as the fourth exit from SNL amid a broader cast reshuffle that has affected the show in recent seasons.
NBC has not issued a statement confirming the casting status of Gardner or detailing plans for the next season. SNL routinely adjusts its ensemble between seasons, and departures and promotions are common as performers pursue other projects or the show revises its roster.
The podcast exchange is the most recent public discussion among SNL alumni about the reported change. Until Gardner or her representatives speak publicly, the details of her reported exit and the reasons behind it remain unconfirmed by the cast member herself.