Trending badgeTrendingPosted 1 hour agoSubscribe to Screen Time NewsletterCaret DownPeople Are Questioning Why Emil Wakim Might've Been Fired From "Saturday Night Live," And Think He Even Hinted At It"it was a gut punch of a call to get but i'm so grateful for my time there."by Mychal ThompsonBuzzFeed StaffFacebookPinterestLink Emil Wakim is not returning to Saturday Night Live, and people are talking about why he might've been fired. Taylor Hill / Getty Images If you're not aware, Emil joined SNL in 2024 for the show's landmark 50th season alongside Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline. Nbc / Getty Images Emil's season premiere was an episode hosted by Jean Smart on Sept. 28, and his final appearance was in the episode hosted by Scarlett Johansson on May 17. On Aug. 27, the comedian announced his end with SNL in a statement shared on Instagram alongside a carousel of images from the late-night comedy show. @emilwakim / instagram.com "i won't be returning to snl next year," Emil wrote. "it was a gut punch of a call to get but i'm so grateful for my time there." John Nacion / Getty Images "every time i scanned into the building i would think how insane it is to get to work there," he continued. "it was the most terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding experience of my life and i will miss it dearly and all the brilliant people that work there that made it feel like a home." He thanked SNL creator Lorne Michaels for "taking a chance" on him and "changing [his] life" before ending his statement with a passage that has caught the attention of the internet. Nbc / Getty Images "i was so lucky to bring some of myself in there and say things i believed in and i'm excited for whatever chapter comes next," Emil concluded. "here's to making more art without compromise." Nbc / Getty Images Fans were considerably disappointed with the news that Emil would not be returning to SNL, specifically because he was a perfect casting for Zohran Mamdani, the 2025 democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City. Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images @wsleysnipes / x.com @mylesmendoza69 / x.com Other people speculated that Emil could've been fired from the late-night show because he only lasted for one season. "My hope is they are dropping these folks to shrink the cast which has been way too large for way too long," one person wrote. @RockyLum / x.com @BlanketMan77 / x.com Some people pointed out Emil's word choice in his statement, particularly "here's to making more art without compromise." Emil is a touring stand-up comedian, so perhaps he's referring to continuing that career "without compromise." Yet, others wonder if there's more behind the decision based on the wording in his statement. @fancymesift / x.com @motherhammy / x.com @jkslimpwrist / x.com Outside of speculation surrounding the nature of Emil's departure from the show, fans and his former SNL castmates are devastated. @ThatWeekInSNL / x.com @vv3spa / x.com @drewmnotsogooden / x.com @emilwakim / instagram.com @emilwakim / instagram.com @emilwakim / instagram.com Other SNL staff members who won't be returning for Season 51 include Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker. BuzzFeed contacted reps for Emil for additional comment, and we'll let you know if we hear back.