Pete Davidson has left Saturday Night Live, joking about his “freedom” as he signed off along with long-time cast members Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Kyle Mooney.
The youngest ever cast member to join SNL, at 20 years old, Davidson officially ended his eight-year stint on the sketch comedy show during last week’s episode.
Davidson poked fun at some controversial moments from his SNL career in his farewell speech.
In conversation with Weekend Update host Colin Jost, Davidson said he would most miss the executive producer of the weekend broadcast Lorne Michaels.
The 28-year-old stand up comedian said he was “free” after likening himself to a house elf from the Harry Potter Universe.
He said: “Lorne accidentally gifted me a sock so I’m free.”
Davidson also addressed the ongoing conflict with girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s ex Kanye West.
He added: “Hello Colin, Che, and millions of people only watching to see if I bring up Kanye.”
The cast member mentioned his broken engagement with Ariana Grande and criticism from FOX News host Tucker Carlson over offensive comments of a war veteran.
Long-featured star member Kate McKinnon, 38, reprised her role as a woman abducted by aliens, in their final episode.
Aidy Bryant also bid farewell after some time away due to Covid, revisiting her “trend updates” role.
The 35-year-old actress, who joined the cast with McKinnon a decade ago, earned some goodbye pecks on the cheek from Michael Che and Bowen Yang.
Davidson, who does not have an official Instagram page, penned an “emotional” departing note through SNL writer Dave Sirus’s account.
He said: “I got to share so much with this audience and literally grow up in front of your eyes. We were together through the good and the bad, the happiest and the darkest of times.
“Thank you for always believing in me and sticking by my side even when it seemed comical.
“Thank you for teaching me life values, how to grow up and for giving me memories that will last a lifetime.”
The message was accompanied by a video of the comedian, after his first sketch performance, hugging fellow comedian Jerrod Carmichael.
