Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner Reunite After SNL Exit

Former SNL co-stars Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner reunite for the new season of Thanks Dad

Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner Break Silence Together After SNL Departures

Former Saturday Night Live favorites Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner are teaming up once again — this time off-screen. The duo is reuniting for the second season premiere of Nwodim’s award-winning podcast Thanks Dad, where they’ll reflect on their years at SNL, their lasting friendship, and life beyond the show.

It’s been a whirlwind year for Saturday Night Live alumni Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner, who left the iconic NBC sketch show under very different circumstances. Now, the two comedians are turning the page together, launching an emotional and hilarious reunion on Nwodim’s hit podcast Thanks Dad, set to debut its second season on October 28.

The season premiere will feature Gardner as Nwodim’s first guest, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at their SNL journey and the bond that developed between them. “We laughed, we cried, we grew up together at 30 Rock,” Nwodim said in a teaser clip released earlier this week.

In September, Nwodim revealed she would be leaving SNL, reflecting, “Parting ways after something so memorable is never easy, but it’s important to know the right time to step away.”

 After seven unforgettable seasons, it’s time for me to move on.” Meanwhile, Gardner’s exit made headlines a month earlier, with reports suggesting her contract was unexpectedly terminated after eight seasons. Though Gardner has stayed silent on the issue, insiders said the decision surprised even her closest castmates.

Both comedians have since moved on to exciting new projects. Gardner recently joined the Broadway play All Out, written by former SNL writer Simon Rich, sharing the stage with Cecily Strong, Jon Stewart, and Ray Romano. Nwodim, on the other hand, is expanding her creative reach beyond television. Alongside hosting Thanks Dad, she’s set to perform a solo comedy show at Lincoln Center’s Claire Tow Theater next month and will soon appear in the Netflix comedy Little Brother with John Cena and Eric André.

Nwodim’s podcast has also joined iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network, a major step that will bring her comedic voice to a wider global audience. The show, which earned an Ambie Award in 2025 for “Best Interview Podcast,” blends humor, heartfelt stories, and celebrity conversations. Season two promises even bigger names, including Tamron Hall and Miguel.

“The goal has always been to connect and spread joy through honest conversations,” Nwodim said. “I’m thrilled to share new stories with old friends and new ones too.”

As both women enter this next chapter, fans are eager to see their chemistry and humor shine once again — this time without the SNL cameras, but with the same infectious energy that made them household names.