"SNL" Drops Sanz, Parnell, Mitchell

Wed., Sep. 20, 2006 10:15 AM PDT by Gina Serpe

Come next week, Studio 8H is going to be a little bit emptier than usual.

After nearly a month of speculation about the fate of several Saturday Night Live cast members, NBC confirmed Wednesday that Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz and Finesse Mitchell will not be returning as Not Ready for Prime-Time Players.

The non-announcement was made by simply omitting the regulars' names from a press release touting the start of the show's 32nd season. When called for comment, a rep for the network acknowledged the trio would be M.I.A. but denied there was any bad blood between the threesome and svengali producer Lorne Michaels or that their departure was the result of a firing.

"I believe there were mutual choices made," NBC spokesman Marc Liepis told E! Online. "When you're on the show for eight years, I don't think you look at it as a firing."

While Parnell and Mitchell, who have been part of the show for eight years and three years, respectively, have yet to comment on their non-return, Sanz has spoken out, telling fans not to confuse his departure with an ousting.

"I've decided not to return to Saturday Night Live this season. I wish the best to everyone at the show and expect them to have a great season," he wrote on his MySpace page. "It's been a wonderful eight years and I am grateful for all the friends I was able to make and all the great people I had the pleasure of working with.

"I look forward to making you laugh in the future, and hopefully not behind the counter at Burger King."

His new comments differ slightly from his take on the situation just a month ago, when he was asked about rumors that he would be leaving the show.

"I haven't been approached with anything that's led me to believe I won't be back," Sanz told the Chicago Sun-Times. "I definitely enjoy the job and would like to stick with it."

As for Mitchell, his inclusion among the castoffs is the most surprising--speculation up until now had pegged fellow cast member Kenan Thompson, who will return this fall, as the third man out. Darrell Hammond, whose 11 seasons on the show mark a series best, is also in the clear, returning to the show despite murmurs that he, too, may have performed his last impression.

The triple departure adds to a mass exodus from the show, although the others appear to be slightly more voluntary.

Over the summer, Tina Fey and Rachel Dratch confirmed that they were leaving the sketch show to star in the NBC comedy 30 Rock, set behind the scenes at a SNL-like variety show produced by Michaels and costarring fellow SNL alum Tracy Morgan.

Of course, some of the departees are bouncing back quicker than others.

According to NBC's Website, Parnell, whose "Lazy Sunday" rap with Andy Samberg was one of last season's highlights, is currently shooting the sitcom Thick & Thin for the Peacock. Mitchell and Sanz, however, don't appear have any firm projects in the works.

While Rockefeller Center will be without five of its most familiar faces this fall, there are no current plans to fill the gap.

Michaels announced over the summer that NBC brass had trimmed the budget on SNL, forcing him to make cutbacks. According to a statement from NBC on Wednesday, no new regular players have been added to the late-night mix, but several of the remaining wiseacres will see changes to their onscreen roles.

Fey's departure paved the way for a new face to join Amy Poehler at the "Weekend Update" desk--Michaels says Seth Meyers will assume fake-news anchoring duties.

Meyers also returns as head writer for the show, a title he previously shared with Fey. Meyers also returns as head writer for the show, a title he previously shared with Fey.

Saturday Night Live kicks off its new season Sept. 30 with host Dane Cook and musical guest the Killers.