Dana Carvey is spilling the tea about the brutal “Saturday Night Live” cast shakeup.
The comedian, 70, shared intel about Heidi Gardner’s exit from the NBC show on Wednesday’s episode of his “Fly on the Wall” podcast with David Spade.
“From what I know as of this recording, that it was not her idea to leave,” Carvey claimed.
“I could be wrong about that,” he added, “but that’s what I read.”
Spade, who was on “SNL” for six seasons in the 1990s, said he finds it “a little shocking” that the show would fire Gardner.
“Because she really is one of the core ones you know from that show and she always does a great job,” Spade, 61, said.
“You never know, and it is a hard thing, but I was really, really surprised,” Carvey replied. “I think she’s got a likability. She can play real, straight news woman, she can play big, brawn, funny, physical.”
“So I was surprised by that,” he added of Gardner’s departure.
As Carvey also pointed out that Gardner did eight full seasons on the show, Spade added, “Eight is a lot. Eight is enough for the show.”
The Post confirmed Aug. 28 that Gardner is not returning to “SNL” for Season 51.
Gardner was the longest-tenured woman on the show as of last season. She joined the sketch comedy juggernaut during Season 43 as a featured player before being promoted to the main cast in 2019.
She has yet to publicly address her exit.
The Post has reached out to Gardner’s rep for comment.
Alongside Gardner, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow are also leaving the show, while five newcomers have been added to the Season 51 cast.
“Let’s give our props to Michael Longfellow, a really cool, interesting character,” Carvey said on the podcast, as he shouted out the trio exiting the show.
“Emil was an adorable person and funny out there,” Carvey continued about Wakim, 27. “They can’t have 100 cast members. I don’t know how these people feel, but I give them my props. I was there with all of them.”
Carvey also recalled talking to Walker — who called the show “toxic” as he announced his departure — about the difficulties of “SNL.”
“Devon had told me that when you don’t get on the show a lot,” Carvey said, “then when you get out there and you have a moment, you’re not relaxed because it’s like, if you don’t score here, you go back in line.”
“So, it can be emotionally violent depending where you are in the show or it could be a magic ride,” Carvey added.
“SNL” Season 51 premieres Oct. 4 on NBC.
Source link