Chloe Fineman’s final conversation with Lorne Michaels did not begin like a goodbye. The comedian revealed the unusual timing behind the call that ended her seven-season run.
The story behind Chloe Fineman’s ‘SNL’ exit and Lorne Michaels’ call
Fineman told Variety that she phoned Lorne Michaels on July 15 to say she would not return to “Saturday Night Live” while he watched England face Argentina at the World Cup. “In classic form, he was watching England versus Argentina,” Fineman said at the July 20 premiere of “The Dink” in Los Angeles. A video shared on X captured her laughing as she recalled the awkward timing.
Michaels answered but quickly told her, “I’ll call you back. I’m at the game.” Fineman jokingly asked whether he supported England because he seemed “energetically very British.” The SNL creator later returned her call. Fineman said they had a “really lovely chat” about her decision, making it clear that the strange opening did not lead to a cold farewell.
Fineman announced her departure on Instagram on July 16. In her statement, she called working on the show “the greatest privilege” of her life and thanked Michaels, the cast, the writers and the crew.
She joined the SNL cast as a featured player in 2019 and earned repertory status in 2021. Her seven seasons produced impressions of Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Coolidge, Nicole Kidman and Timothée Chalamet.
Her emotional announcement confirmed that she felt ready for a new chapter. She also described Studio 8H as her home and said she would never remain too far away. Fineman’s exit arrived during another period of change for the SNL cast. Ego Nwodim’s departure and other recent exits continued the show’s turnover.
Reports later raised conflicting claims about Fineman’s backstage relationships. One source alleged occasional tension, while another directly rejected that account. Fineman did not address those claims during her Variety interview.
Her phone call with Michaels offered a lighter look at the departure. Even during a major career conversation, the producer apparently had one eye on the World Cup.
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