Why SNL Farewell Sketches Hit So Hard—And Why Fans Are Bracing for More
So, here we are again—another season of Saturday Night Live coming to a close, and everyone’s buzzing with one big question: who’s leaving? If you're anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself watching the season finale not just for laughs, but for clues. You can feel it—something in the air, a certain energy that tells you a cast member might be stepping away. And if SNL history is any guide, we might be in for another heartfelt, possibly tear-jerking goodbye.
It’s wild to think that these farewell sketches have become a kind of ritual now, but they weren’t always part of the SNL playbook. One of the earliest and most iconic send-offs came in 1994 when the legendary Phil Hartman—often called “The Glue” of the show—was given a proper goodbye. Dressed in character, surrounded by castmates, Hartman ended his SNL journey singing “So Long, Farewell” with a sleepy Chris Farley in his lap. That image still lingers in the minds of fans, especially given both stars’ tragic ends.
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Since then, SNL has played with all kinds of goodbyes. Some subtle, some grand. Will Ferrell’s 2002 “Will’s Final Show” was one of the first post-Hartman sketches to say goodbye directly. Kristen Wiig danced her way out in 2012 with the full cast, Lorne Michaels, and even Mick Jagger by her side. That one hit like a wave—so genuine, so raw. And honestly, it set the tone for the emotional exits that followed. Andy Samberg dropped “Lazy Sunday 2” the same night. Then came Stefon marrying Seth Meyers, and Fred Armisen’s punk farewell concert. All different flavors, but all meaningful.
And more recently? Who could forget Kate McKinnon saying her final “Live from New York” as she boarded a spaceship? Or Cecily Strong belting out “My Way” while drowning in a giant wine glass? These aren’t just sketches anymore. They’ve become moments of shared closure—for the cast and for us.
What makes these sketches special is that they blur the line between comedy and something much more human. For a show known for breaking the fourth wall in funny ways, these goodbyes break it with sincerity. Even when they’re quirky, they’re packed with emotion. Whether it’s Bryant’s Trend Forecast farewell or Davidson thanking Lorne Michaels live, these moments remind us that SNL isn’t just a comedy machine. It’s a family—on screen and off.
So as Season 50 wraps up, all eyes are on Studio 8H. Are Colin Jost and Michael Che really stepping down? Will someone else surprise us with a musical number, a sketch twist, or just a teary-eyed wave? It’s hard to tell. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from decades of SNL, it’s that endings—when done right—can leave just as strong a mark as the laughs.
And honestly? I’m bracing myself. Because when SNL says goodbye, it doesn’t just say it to the cast—it says it to us.
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