Brooks Wheelan will not return for the next season of “Saturday Night Live,” the comedian announced on Twitter. The first year featured player had a standard one-year contract given to all “SNL” newbies, and Wheelan’s contract was not picked up, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
“Had a blast and loved every second of it,” Wheelan posted to his Twitter on Monday. “I’m totally honored to be able to make this next joke… FIRED FROM NEW YORK IT’S SATURDAY NIGHT!”
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Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett, John Milhiser, Mike O’Brien and Noel Wells were also brought on in the beginning of Whelan’s only year. Colin Jost replaced Seth Meyers behind the “Weekend Update” desk mid-season. Other casting decisions, like the fates of Wheelan’s fellow freshman class of the show’s 39th season, are expected in August.
This past season, Whelan’s first, saw some of the highest turnover in the NBC comedy show’s storied history. New cast members were somewhat overshadowed by a midseason media drama, which saw “SNL” getting grief for the lack of a black women in its cast. Following several under-wraps audition processes, Sasheer Zamata was hired. Leslie Jones and LaKendra Tookes — also black women from the auditions — were brought on as writers.
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“Saturday Night Live” is celebrating its 40th anniversary this upcoming season, with a special three-hour special set to air in February 2015 to commemorate the event.