In a new interview, Saturday Night Live veteran Aidy Bryant talks about her decision to move away after a 10-season run, and what kept her from leaving the venerable NBC sketch series. even sooner.
“If it weren’t for COVID, I probably would have left a few years earlier,” Bryant tells our sister pub Variety. “But it was such a big change. When COVID hit [during Season 45]It was so creepy that we all said, ‘I’ll definitely be back next year.’ ” And after missing half of Season 46 to shoot the third and final season of his Hulu Shrill comedy, Bryant decided to return for Season 47.
“I kept trying to look for a normal last year,” he explains. “It simply came to our notice then [COVID-free] year I was waiting, but I was closer to that … And 10 seemed like a nice, solid round number. “
Commenting on his final sketch, the recurring segment of the “Trendsetters” weekend update alongside Bowen Yang, Bryant admits: I felt very happy and I felt incredibly fortified to have Bowen and [Michael] Che by my side because they know me and know how far this was to go for me.
It was rumored that Bryant, along with Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon and Kyle Mooney, would leave SNL before the May 21 final. Davidson confirmed his departure in a pre-air statement, writing in part, “I owe my life to Lorne Michaels and all of SNL. I’m very grateful and I wouldn’t be here without them.” He last appeared on the Update board, while McKinnon and Mooney were kicked out via a “Final Encounter” and an ad for “Gray Adult Pigtails.”
Will you miss Lil ‘Baby Aidy on Saturday Night Live?