After years of shaping the musical lineup, longtime Saturday Night Live music booker Brian Siedlecki is officially stepping away from the iconic show. Music bookers are the architects behind shows like Saturday Night Live, finding performers who can turn television appearances into cultural moments. Their choices connect rising artists with audiences while giving established stars a prestigious stage.

After nearly three decades, one of SNL’s most influential music bookers is leaving the show.

Brian Siedlecki is departing Saturday Night Live after NBC chose not to renew his contract, according to an exclusive report from The Hollywood Reporter. He joined the program as an intern in 1996 and eventually rose through the ranks to become a producer and talent booker. His departure comes shortly before the series begins its 52nd season on September 26.

NBC declined to comment on staffing matters, while Siedlecki did not respond to a request for comment. Siedlecki’s influence can be measured through the musicians who have appeared under the Studio 8H lights during his tenure. His first reported booking was Nelly Furtado in 2001, around the rise of 'I’m Like a Bird.'

Over the years, he helped bring major names to the program, including Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, while also helping newer artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Olivia Rodrigo reach the SNL stage. Siedlecki leaves behind longtime bookers Keri Powers and Rebecca Schwartz, who remain involved with the show. 

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With one important backstage figure exiting and a familiar performer moving on, SNL is entering its next chapter with plenty of change already underway.

Chloe Fineman is leaving Saturday Night Live after seven seasons, bringing an acclaimed run of celebrity impressions and eccentric characters to a close. She joined the program in 2019 as a featured player and became part of the main cast in 2021. Her exit comes ahead of Season 52 and adds another familiar face to a changing ensemble.

Fineman announced her decision on Instagram, describing her time at SNL as “the greatest privilege” of her life. She also acknowledged how difficult the departure felt, while making clear that she believed it was time for her next chapter. “I’m going to miss it a lot,” she wrote, adding that the people who work at the show are her family and that the studio feels like home.

Her tenure became closely associated with impressions of celebrities such as Drew Barrymore and Timothée Chalamet, while her broader sketch work gave her opportunities to create characters beyond straightforward impersonation. Outside SNL, she has continued building a screen career, with credits including Freakier Friday and voice work in Big Mouth and Despicable Me 4.

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What do you think about Brian Siedlecki’s departure from Saturday Night Live, and which musical guest from his era do you remember most? Let us know in the comments.