Maya Rudolph leaves Saturday Night Live.

EW has learned that contrary to published reports, Maya Rudolph is not returning to Saturday Night Live for an eighth season. NBC was told of Rudolph’s departure on Sept. 24, just five days before the show’s season premiere. While no official reason was given for her exit, a spokesperson for NBC says, ”We wish Maya nothing but the best.” (This means SNL is down to two funny women: Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig. No word yet on whether any new cast members will be added later in the season, but the rest of the ‘06-’07 cast will be returning.)
During her seven seasons on the show, Rudolph built a wide repertoire of characters, from Wake Up Wakefield’s awkwardly hormonal teen host Megan to Bronx Beat’s irritable housewife Jodi. Of course, we’ll miss her gift for sublime celebrity impersonations the most. So Beyonce, Whitney, Oprah, Donatella — sleep easy tonight. As for the rest of us, we’ll always have reruns.





September 25th, 2007 at 1:19 am
worst decision ever.
September 25th, 2007 at 7:51 am
She is WICKED funny! Love her as Donatella. I’d probably run from SNL. I don’t think they’ve been very funny as of late.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:49 am
I sttopped watching SNL after Tina Fey left…its not funny anymore
September 25th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I think she along with Tina Fey made SNL, it’ll die now.
If you’ve not seen Idiocracy, she’s in it with Luke Wilson & Mike Judge…funny stuff.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
yea…so she’s not leaving SNL
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09242007/tv/rudolph_going_back_to_snl.htm
September 25th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I love the Bronx Beat skit.