Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah Out at “SNL”

Dana Edelson/NBC(NEW YORK) — NBC has confirmed to ABC News that Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah are leaving Saturday Night Live after six seasons.

A solid utility player, Killam appeared in many sketches, though was best known for playing Matthew McConaughey, Marco Rubio, and Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy.

On Twitter, he just thanked fans who had been lamenting the loss on social media.

The comic noted, “A big thank you for all the Love from my fans. Lorne [Michaels, SNL producer] was kind enough to understand I needed more time to dedicate to my undefeated @RamsNFL.”

Pharoah, who has yet to respond, was known for his uncanny impersonations of Jay-Z, Chris Rock, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Katt Williams, Kevin Hart, Chris Tucker, President Obama and former GOP presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson.

So what happened? “I don’t know fully. I don’t know the other side of it,” Killam told the website, UPROXX.  “You sign for seven years, so I had one more year. I had sort of had it in my head I would make this upcoming year my last year, but then heard they weren’t going to pick up my contract. I was never given a reason why, really. I can assume until the cows come home.”

Saturday Night Live will begin season 42 this fall.

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