Brooks Wheelan is not the only victim of the “Saturday Night Live” off-season.
Multiple sources confirmed Tuesday that the iconic late night show has also passed on booking featured players Noël Wells and John Milhiser for next season.
Milhiser personally confirmed the story by re-Tweeting a related comment from actor Jon Cryer, of whom Milhiser established an impression on “SNL.”
“I can’t be the only one who is going to miss @JohnMilhiser on #SNL. Godspeed dude,” Tweeted the “Two and a Half Men” actor.
Insofar as Wells and Milhiser neither emerged as fan favorites nor made significant marks on the show, both were considered likely candidates for release. Wells theoretically benefited by being one of only two new female additions last season, but those behind the NBC franchise ultimately decided to proceed without her.
With newcomers Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney and Sasheer Zamata all considered virtual locks to return, attention now turns to “bubble” freshman Mike O’Brien.
It is doubtful “SNL” will completely part ways with O’Brien, who has written for the show since 2009, but a decision regarding whether his future entails performing on-screen or focusing exclusively on writing is still to be made.