Ego Nwodim & Heidi Gardner Dish on SNL Life and New Adventures

Former Saturday Night Live stars Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner are spilling the tea on their time at Studio 8H, the show's intense competitive environment, and what's next in their exciting careers.

TL;DR

• Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner recently departed Saturday Night Live after seven and eight seasons, respectively, ahead of its 51st season.
• The comedy duo reunited on Nwodim's "Thanks Dad" podcast, opening up about their deep friendship and the challenges of working in the competitive SNL environment.
• Both comedians are moving onto exciting new projects, with Nwodim launching a one-woman show and a Netflix film, while Gardner makes her Broadway debut.

If you've been missing your favorite funny ladies from Saturday Night Live, Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner, you're in for a treat! These two incredibly talented comedians recently caught up on Nwodim's podcast, "Thanks Dad," to share some candid insights into their departure from the iconic sketch show and what life has been like since.

After years of making us laugh with viral characters and unforgettable sketches, both Nwodim and Gardner stepped away from SNL just before its 51st season. While Nwodim officially announced her exit, Gardner's departure was revealed shortly before, leaving many fans wondering about the details. Now, they're giving us a heartwarming, and sometimes tearful, look behind the curtain.

Saying Goodbye to Studio 8H: Unpacking the Recent Departures

The news of Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner leaving Saturday Night Live sent ripples through the comedy world. Nwodim, who had been a regular cast member for seven seasons, announced her departure in September. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, "The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight. But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL." She expressed immense gratitude to creator Lorne Michaels, her castmates, writers, and crew for their "brilliance, support, and friendship."

Gardner's exit, after eight seasons, was revealed a month prior in August. While she hasn't publicly addressed her departure with a statement, reports suggest her contract was not renewed. Their exits were part of a larger cast shake-up, which also saw Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow moving on.

Nwodim's departure notably left the regular cast without a Black woman for the first time in several years, a significant change for the show.

"Thanks Dad": A New Home and Real Conversations with Ego Nwodim

Fans eager to hear more from Ego Nwodim are in luck! Her award-winning interview podcast, "Thanks Dad With Ego Nwodim," has found a new home with iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network. Season two of the podcast officially kicked off on Tuesday, October 28, with none other than Heidi Gardner as its premiere guest.

"I'm so thrilled to be partnering with iHeartPodcasts, Will Ferrell and Big Money Players for Season 2 of 'Thanks Dad'!" Nwodim shared. "This season, I'm speaking with a broader range of guests, while staying true to the heart of the podcast — to connect, inspire and bring some joy." Future guests lined up for the season include Tamron Hall and Miguel.

The podcast, which previously operated under the comedy podcast network Headgum, focuses on guests diving into personal stories, family dynamics, and identity. Its first season garnered critical acclaim, earning a prestigious 2025 Ambie Award for Best Interview Podcast.

"It's not the easiest place to work, but you were such a huge gift, and I absolutely adore and love you," Ego Nwodim shared with Heidi Gardner on her podcast, reflecting on their time at SNL.

The Reality of SNL: Friendship Forged in a Pressure Cooker Environment

During their candid "Thanks Dad" reunion, Nwodim and Gardner didn't shy away from discussing the intense atmosphere at Saturday Night Live. They shared how their bond formed quickly when Nwodim joined the show in 2018, just a year after Gardner, and they ended up sharing a dressing room.

"To have to share such an intimate space together for hours on end on Saturdays and Thursdays and Fridays, whenever we were rehearsing, yeah, it made us close quick," Nwodim recalled. But she also noted the flip side: "It could also not make you close. It can make you not like each other... But I'm so grateful we got so close."

Both comedians acknowledged the fiercely competitive nature of SNL. Nwodim described it as "not the easiest place to work," where it could be difficult to feel like the cast was "winning together." Gardner echoed this sentiment, explaining, "We're humans, so we have egos, we want things for ourselves, we want to succeed, and there weren't a lot of times when we were able to succeed in the way we wanted at the exact same time."

However, their friendship rose above the pressures. Gardner grew emotional recalling Nwodim's viral "Miss Eggy" sketch. "There's a part of me, if I think about it, I'm like, but wait, I should want that for me, but you had it, and it was fing awesome," she shared, highlighting the genuine joy she felt for her friend's success. Nwodim, in turn, praised Gardner for her remarkable kindness and positive spirit in such a demanding environment, calling her "such a light in what can be such a challenging place."

Jack Black: The Angel Among the Chaos of Studio 8H

One shared highlight from their SNL days that brought pure joy to their conversation was working with host Jack Black. Nwodim affectionately described him as an "angel sent down from heaven."

Her unforgettable "Miss Eggy" sketch debuted during the April 5, 2025, episode, which was hosted by none other than Jack Black. Nwodim fondly remembers how Black sent her a kind note afterward, reinforcing her admiration for him. Gardner was equally thrilled during that particular week, calling it "a very cool week for me... I am on cloud nine because [Jack Black] is my hero and also my best friend annihilated the show."

The comedians highlighted Black's genuine care, even if he stumbled during a table read, he would ensure he got it right out of respect for the writers who worked tirelessly on the sketches. Gardner even shared a heartwarming story of how Black recorded a video singing to a four-year-old boy in Kansas City who had just received a kidney transplant. Both agreed that Black is a rare example of a hero who turns out to be even better in real life.

Beyond SNL: New Stages, Screens, and Exciting Projects Await

Both Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner are quickly proving that life after SNL is brimming with new opportunities. For Nwodim, her plate is full with various ventures she's been eager to pursue.

She's making her off-Broadway debut this fall with a one-woman comedy show at Lincoln Center, produced by Seaview Productions. "I'm working on a one woman show at the Lincoln Center... and to bring that to an audience and get to try it on its feet," she exclusively shared. She's also diving into the film world, having recently wrapped production on Matt Spicer's "Little Brother," an upcoming Netflix comedy film where she stars alongside John Cena, Eric Andre, Michelle Monaghan, Christopher Meloni, and Sherry Cola. Nwodim has also hinted at more "TV projects that will be announced soon," playfully adding, "I can't spill the beans. I was gonna say 'spill the eggs,' but you could, I mean, you could spill eggs."

During her tenure at SNL, Nwodim created several viral characters, including "Miss Eggy" and "Lisa From Temecula," earning NAACP Image Awards nominations in both 2024 and 2025. She was also recognized by Variety in 2021 for her trailblazing work in comedy, TV, and media.

Heidi Gardner is also making a significant move, joining the cast of the Broadway production "All Out." Written by former SNL writer Simon Rich, the show features other familiar faces like Cecily Strong, Jon Stewart, and Ray Romano. It's clear that while their time at SNL has ended, their careers are just hitting new exciting strides.

The reunion on "Thanks Dad" wasn't just about reminiscing; it was a testament to a deep friendship that survived and thrived in one of the toughest, most competitive environments in television. As Nwodim wisely concluded in their conversation, "If you can leave a place that's so competitive... and still be remarkably lovely and such a light and still pouring into other people... I think you succeeded. I think that's what success is there, and I think you succeeded a million times over." We can't wait to see what these two incredible talents do next!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Ego & Heidi Answered!

Where can I listen to Ego Nwodim's "Thanks Dad" podcast? You can listen to "Thanks Dad With Ego Nwodim" on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms. Video episodes are also available on YouTube. What's next for Ego Nwodim after SNL? Ego Nwodim has a lot going on! She's performing a one-woman comedy show at Lincoln Center, starring in the upcoming Netflix film "Little Brother," and has more TV projects in the pipeline. Of course, she's also continuing her "Thanks Dad" podcast! Did Heidi Gardner choose to leave SNL? While Ego Nwodim announced her departure, reports suggested Heidi Gardner's contract was terminated after eight seasons. Gardner has not publicly commented on her exit. How long were Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner on SNL? Ego Nwodim was on Saturday Night Live for seven seasons, and Heidi Gardner was a cast member for eight seasons. Sources

• Yahoo Entertainment
• Variety
• The Hollywood Reporter
• Deadline
• The Daily Beast
• Pajiba
• The Independent
• HELLO!