I Was Bummed Emil Wakim Was Let Go From SNL, And I’m Really Going To Miss His Middle Eastern Perspective

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As Season 51 of Saturday Night Live draws near in the fall TV lineup of 2025, creator Lorne Michaels hinted at potential cast adjustments, even suggesting a possible alteration for Weekend Update. Over the past week, several significant updates have emerged on this topic. On Monday, Devon Walker announced her departure, followed by news that both Rosebud Baker (a writer) and Celeste Yim would not be returning. Most recently, Emil Wakim has been confirmed to be leaving the show as well. It’s time for us to reflect on his tenure with SNL.

Emil Wakim Has Been Let Go From SNL After One Season

On Wednesday, August 27th, Emil Wakim announced that he had unexpectedly been removed from the cast, during his friend’s 36th birthday celebration at Six Flags. Although the reason remains unclear, it appears to be one of several cuts happening within the show. Here is Wakim’s farewell post for your reference: [link to the post provided]

A post shared by Emil Wakim (@emilwakim)

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I perked up when Emil Wakim was featured on Saturday Night Live, as he’s the first comic of Lebanese descent to join the ensemble, and half of my family also hails from Lebanon. Given our shared heritage – him having an immigrant father from Lebanon and a white mother – his casting sparked renewed curiosity in me about the show that has been noticeably diverse lately but previously lacked a distinct Middle Eastern voice among its cast members.

The Cast Member Started Some Great Conversations About The Middle Eastern Experience On SNL That Will Be Missed

During Emil Wakim’s tenure on Saturday Night Live, his standout moment was likely when he appeared on Weekend Update to offer his unique viewpoint as a son of an immigrant from the Arab world. One of his most-watched videos on YouTube showcased his opinions regarding voting in the 2024 elections. In this segment, Wakim humorously discussed the intricacies of being classified as Arab Christian, likening it to “Black men carrying Anime backpacks.

My preference leans towards his unique perspective on American patriotism, which is humorously portrayed through the mundane experience of encountering an UberEats delivery driver. You can catch this amusing moment by watching the video linked below:

Although Wakim hadn’t quite reached stardom on Saturday Night Live yet, he initiated some intriguing discussions as an Arab-American born and raised in the U.S., a perspective we don’t often encounter on mainstream stages. His content resonated with diverse audiences. Recently, I’ve noticed more films and series featuring Arab-Americans, like Rami or Mo, but the representation of their perspective remains limited, particularly within comedies.

In our community, the history of being stereotyped and portrayed negatively continues, but artists like Emil Wakim play a crucial role in shining a light on the authentic experiences of Arab Americans in 2025. I remain hopeful that Emil Wakim will continue to excel as a stand-up comedian, maybe even venturing into his own TV series or film one day. Truthfully, I had hoped he’d stay longer on SNL, and it’s unfortunate to see him leave so soon.

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2025-08-28 16:08