Punkie Johnson will not be returning to “Saturday Night Live” for its upcoming 50th season, according to a recent video announcement.
Johnson, 39, whose real name is Jessica Williams, has been with the show for the past four years.
She originally shared the news of her departure during a comedy show in New York City’s Brooklyn. Then she shared the news with the internet, saying, “After four seasons, I will not be returning to ‘SNL’ for the 50th.”
“It’s no bad blood, it’s no bridges burnt, it’s no hard feelings,” she continued. “ ‘SNL’ was a dream I didn’t even know I could achieve. I was part of one of the most elite institutions in comedy, and I’m so grateful for it ... but my time there has come to an end.”
She added that she first broke the news to her audience members at her “Punkie Johnson and Friends” comedy show at Union Hall, when someone asked what she was looking forward to next season.
“Oh, I ain’t comin’ back,” she candidly replied.
She did not provide any additional details on what led to her departure.
During her time on the sketch comedy show, Johnson made her mark with memorable impressions of influential figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Nicki Minaj, Harriet Tubman, Gayle King, Ice Spice and Queen Latifah.
After joining “SNL” as a featured player for Season 46, she became just the second Black LGBTQ+ woman in the show’s history, after Danitra Vance.
Beyond “SNL,” Johnson has appeared in various series, including “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Space Force” and “Corporate.”
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars’ judges and cast revealed: Drag queens are ready to rule the world in the first “RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars.”
Twelve drag queens from around the world will compete for the title, a spot in the International Pavilion at the Drag Race Hall of Fame, and the grand prize of $200,000.
Guest judges for the first iteration of the program were announced recently. Among the list joining resident judge Michelle Visage and director- choreographer Jamal Sims are Brazilian model Adriana Lima, Colombian pageant queen Ariadna Gutiérrez- Arévalo, Mexican singer Danna (formerly known as Danna Paola).
Two queens from Latin America are set to compete in this series.
Representing Mexico is the dangerous dame Gala Varo, runner-up from the first season of “Drag Race Mexico.” She comes to the runway with more than 15 years of drag experience and hails from Morelia,Michoacán.
Representing Brazil is the haute couture Miranda Lebrão, fourth runner-up in the first season of “Drag Race Brasil.” From Rio de Janeiro, the transformist has been doing drag for more than 10 years.
ABC picks up new Dennings sitcom: Kat Dennings is returning to sitcoms with “Shifting Gears,” a new series from 20th Television with “Home Improvement” actor Tim Allen. According to Variety, the show has been picked up by ABC.
Dennings, whose recent credits include Hulu’s “Dollface” and Marvel’s “Thor” movies, will play Allen’s adult daughter, who moves in with her widowed father and her teenage siblings. The title is a nod to Allen’s character, who runs a car restoration shop.
ABC originally ordered a pilot earlier this spring but staffing changes led to a delay. Writers Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully left the series (in a reportedly amicable departure) and Allen, an executive producer, is now searching for a new showrunner.
Dennings, also a producer on “Shifting Gears,” is best known for starring in CBS’s “2 Broke Girls” with Beth Behrs. The comedy ran for six seasons before being canceled in 2017.