Heidi Gardner Is Exiting 'SNL' After Eight Seasons

After the surprise blows that were the exits of Michael Longfellow and Emil Wakim, it’s almost a relief to see that Heidi Gardner will be leaving after eight seasons, if only because that was somewhat expected. Vulture is reporting that Gardner, one of the show’s longer-running cast members, will be leaving after eight seasons.

Gardner has been an excellent utility player over her tenure, both in sketches and behind the “Update” desk, although her best known sketch, of course, was the Beavis and Butthead sketch where she repeatedly broke. She also had several memorable update characters, including Angel, Every Boxer’s Girlfriend From Every Movie About Boxing Ever; the emotional teen film critic, Bailey Gismert; and Crystal, the co-worker who is always doing nothing.

Gardner, however, has found some success outside of the series, including a stint on Shrinking and the Adam Sandler film, Hustle, among other roles. She and her husband of 14 years also divorced last year, which is insane only in the sense that no one knew that Heidi Gardner had been married for 14 years.

Rumor is that this may not be the last of the departures, and that more are expected this week, while new cast members will be announced next week.