SNL Says Goodbye to Some Veterans

The season finale of Saturday Night Live was also the final episode for Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg and possibly Jason Sudeikis; all of which joined the show together in 2005 along with Bill Hader. Some reports say Sudeikis is unsure if he wants to leave. He does portray Mitt Romney, so unless someone else takes that over he could be back for the fall.

SNL sent Kristen Wiig off in memorable style, one of the best they've ever done. With Arcade Fire and Mick Jagger performing The Rolling Stones classic songs "She's a Rainbow" and "Ruby Tuesday", she danced with each of the cast members and shed some tears. Some alumni also returned for that moment - Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Chris Kattan. Her humor will be missed, but this just gives her more time for movies and TV. The "Bridesmaids" star has six movies in the pipeline as of now.

Andy Samberg also said farewell, with the final SNL Digital Short airing - "Lazy Sunday 2" with Chris Parnell. The duo started the Digital Short idea back in 2005 with "Lazy Sunday" and it went viral on the web, ushering in a new era and coolness-factor for SNL. It also helped YouTube reach new heights, which is referenced in "Lazy Sunday 2." One of my favorite shorts is the "Natalie Rap" with Natalie Portman from 2006.

Now of course people will be saying "How will SNL survive without 'so-and-so'" and "The show will not be the same." People have been saying that since the 1970s, and the show continues on and new talent rises. While its sad to see them go, this is how SNL works. New people step up, and hopefully some of the newer cast can do that now that they have the chance. Former cast members of Wiig, Sudeikis and Samberg's caliber go on to do much more. (And they always return to SNL for fun) Here are some examples of former cast currently making us laugh elsewhere:

Tina Fey - If Fey didn't leave SNL, we wouldn't have gotten the great "30 Rock". Next year is the final season for "30 Rock".
Amy Poehler - Left SNL to star in NBC's "Parks & Recreation", one of the best comedies on TV.
Jimmy Fallon - Has his own late night talk show.
Will Ferrell - Don't even need to mention the countless movies he has done.
Maya Rudolph - On NBC's new hit "Up All Night". Her character Ava is one of the best on TV. Also did "Bridesmaids" with Wiig.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Went on to the TV classic Seinfeld, and currently stars on HBO's incredibly funny new show "Veep".
Ana Gasteyer & Chris Parnell - Currently playing a funny and dysfunctional couple on ABC's best new comedy "Suburgatory."
Molly Shannon - The queen of guest roles, recently featured in "Up All Night", "Glee" and "The Middle."

So basically, SNL will be fine. Taran Killam and Vanessa Bayer will probably be getting more screen time. No pressure. Watch Wiig's Farewell and "Lazy Sunday 2" below.