In a candid conversation on the “Fly on the Wall” podcast hosted by “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) veterans David Spade and Dana Carvey, comedian Punkie Johnson opened up about her decision to leave the iconic sketch comedy show before its highly anticipated 50th season. Johnson’s revelation sheds light on the reasons behind her departure from SNL, offering insights into her experiences and perspective on the show’s environment.
Johnson confessed that doubts about her role on SNL began brewing even before Season 49. Speaking to Spade and Carvey, she explained, “I talked to my team. I was like, ‘Look, I don’t really know if I belong at this job, so maybe I should step away.’” This initial hesitation indicates a significant period of introspection and questioning of her fit within the SNL cast. However, her departure wasn’t a sudden decision. Johnson further revealed, “But I told them super, super late, like right after I found out I got to go back. And it was like ‘Well Punkie, you need a plan. You can’t just quit your job.’” This suggests a practical approach to her concerns, initially choosing to return for Season 49 while contemplating her long-term plans.
Despite her initial reservations, Johnson decided to rejoin SNL for Season 49, and she described the beginning of the season as surprisingly positive. “I think I got like three or four sketches on the first half [of the season],” she recounted. This was a significant increase compared to her usual screen time, as she noted, “And usually I only get maybe two or three on the entire season, so I’m like, ‘Oh man, I’m killing it. Like, this is my season.’” This initial success seemed to temporarily quell her doubts and raise her hopes for a more prominent role in the season.
However, a pivotal moment in Johnson’s decision-making process was the departure of her writer, Ben Silva. “If I was telling him something, he knew how to put it in ‘SNL’ format for me. If I try to put it in ‘SNL’ format, that’s the hard part,” Johnson explained. Silva’s understanding of her comedic voice and ability to translate it into the specific style of SNL sketches was clearly crucial to Johnson’s experience on the show. His absence seemingly amplified her feelings of disconnect.
Ultimately, Johnson concluded that the environment at SNL wasn’t the right fit for her. “I didn’t really feel like I fit, like I didn’t feel like that was my zone. That show is for a different type of person,” Johnson stated. She elaborated on the different backgrounds of the cast members, highlighting her own unique path in comedy. “I came from standup so I just thought everybody else came from standup. I started having conversations with people and everybody was like, ‘Oh yeah, we went to school for this.’ I’m like, ‘Y’all went to school to be here?’” This revelation underscored a fundamental difference in experience and training between Johnson, who honed her craft in the world of stand-up comedy, and many of her SNL colleagues who had formal training in comedy and performance.
Punkie Johnson joined SNL as a featured player in 2020 for Season 46. Prior to SNL, she had already built a solid career with appearances in shows like “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Adam Ruins Everything,” “Corporate,” and “Space Force.” Her decision to leave Saturday Night Live highlights the diverse paths and experiences within the entertainment industry and emphasizes the importance of finding an environment where artists feel they truly belong and can thrive.
