Pete Davidson officially confirmed his departure from SNL in an emotional post
4 min read
Pic credit: Saturday Night Live/YouTube
Pete Davidson’s final “Saturday Night Live” episode aired, and he used a friend’s Instagram account to send a heartfelt message to fans and share a behind-the-scenes video from his first night on the show.
On May 21, hours before his final episode, Davidson delivered the message via “Saturday Night Live” writer Dave Sirus’ Instagram. A video of his passionate reaction to finishing his first skit and celebrating backstage with fellow comic Jerrod Carmichael was included with the text.
His departure coincides with the departures of other SNL stars Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, and Kyle Mooney, signalling the end of an era and the conclusion of a season with the largest cast in the show’s history.
Pete Davidson's back at the Update desk. #SNLFinale pic.twitter.com/7yOZJJSdlo
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) May 22, 2022
What’s in the farewell video?
Davidson uploaded a video from eight years ago, just after taping his first Weekend Update and skit for Saturday Night Live, in his farewell post. He said:
“When I got the show, I was 20 years old, and I had no idea what I was doing. I still don’t, but especially back then, I wasn’t really a sketch performer. I was just a stand-up.”
He admitted that he was “very frightened” of contributing to the award-winning classic program because he thought he could “never go toe to toe with Kenan Thompson or a Kate McKinnon.”
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Davidson went on to say that he decided to do “stand-up and personal bits” on the show and went on to become one of the show’s most popular stars:
“I got to share so much with this audience and literally grow up in front of your eyes. We were together through the good and the bad, the happiest and the darkest of times.”
Pete Davidson stated that creator Lorne Michaels and every member of SNL are responsible for his existence. He went on to refer to the show as his “home.”
The show said goodbye to Kate McKinnon and Pete Davidson in subtle but poignant ways
In Saturday’s cold open, McKinnon reprised her role as Miss Rafferty, an alien abductee who has a more difficult time than her peers.
After McKinnon’s Miss Rafferty reveals what occurred to her during her extraterrestrial abduction (in vivid and bawdy detail, no less), two government operatives, Aidy Bryant and Mikey Day, explain that she must now go with the aliens that abducted her.
This led to a touching scene in which McKinnon stood aboard the homemade spaceship and said farewell to both her character and herself.
“Well, Earth, I love you, thanks for letting me stay awhile,” McKinnon’s character said to the audience, her hand on her heart.
On “SNL’s” Weekend Update, Davidson received one last segment.
Davidson remarked, “I never imagined this would be my life.” “I was simply a skinny kid back then, and no one knew what ethnicity I was. And now everyone knows I’m White since I achieved enormous success while barely turning up to work. Look at me now, I’m getting old like a banana.”
“SNL” creator Lorne Michaels told Davidson during his initial audition that he didn’t think Davidson was suitable for the program, but “let’s screw this up together,” Davidson said.
Pete Davidson even recalls telling Michaels about his engagement to Ariana Grande two weeks after they met at the show, after they had been dating for two weeks.
pete davidson , kate mckinnon , aidy bryant , kyle mooney.. you were the core aspect of snl that made me find and fall in love with the show and each of you. it’s so weird to be emotional over a few cast members, but the way you’ve shaped my life the last four years will always pic.twitter.com/RWVfknY8GB
— kay 🧜🏻♂️ | MADDIE & SHANNON DAY (@drewnotsogooden) May 22, 2022
Colin Jost: So, are you officially leaving?
— Breanna Drennan (@goodgrlbreabrea) May 22, 2022
Pete Davidson: Yeah, man, Lorne accidentally gifted me a sock, so I’m free.
#SNL #WeekendUpdate #SNLFinale pic.twitter.com/UZKVueTA1U
Pete Davidson's back at the Update desk. #SNLFinale pic.twitter.com/7yOZJJSdlo
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) May 22, 2022
Kate McKinnon leaving makes a lot of sense. Honestly, I think if she had left a few years ago, she’d be a megastar right now. Aidy Bryant is a HUGE loss for the show, I’ll really miss her. SNL was holding Kyle Mooney back. Pete Davidson was holding SNL back. https://t.co/pX1Tq8E7Zl
— Jay Dial (@ahardjaysnight) May 20, 2022
- Also read: Tributes Pour in For Colin Cantwell, as Creator of ‘Star Wars’ Death Star, X-Wing dies at 90
Ankita Khanrah
Ankita Khanrah is a second-year student of the Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar.
