Chloe Fineman Says Lorne Michaels Was at World Cup Match When She Called to Leave SNL

Chloe Fineman called Lorne Michaels to tell him she was leaving Saturday Night Live, but the show's boss was preoccupied with a major soccer match. The comedian shared the anecdote with Variety at the premiere of the Apple TV+ series The Dink in Los Angeles on Monday.

Fineman said the timing of her call was classic Michaels. “In classic form, he was watching England vs. Argentina,” she told the outlet. “He was like, ‘I’ll call you back. I’m a the game.’ And I was like, ‘The soccer game?’ Then I made a joke, I was like, ‘I assume you’re rooting for England because you’re energetically very British.’ Then he called me back, and we had a really lovely chat.”

What did Chloe Fineman say about leaving SNL?

Fineman publicly announced her departure from the long-running sketch show on July 16. “After 7 wonderful seasons at ‘SNL’ I have decided it’s time for my next chapter,” she wrote in an Instagram post. She described the decision as difficult but the right time, adding that the people at the show are her family and the place is her home.

She told Variety the official announcement brought her to tears. “I cried when it was announced,” she said. “You really become a family [with the cast]… I wept when Colin Jost called me today, like, they really are my family. I’m happy that after seven years, I leave on a high note.”

What is Chloe Fineman doing next?

Fineman's first major project after SNL is a series regular role in the Netflix adaptation Myron Bolitar. The series, based on Harlan Coben's books, follows a former NBA hopeful who becomes a sports agent. The cast also includes Jabari Banks, Jamie McShane, and Ben McKenzie in a recurring role.

She is also part of the cast of the sports comedy The Dink, which premieres on Apple TV+ on July 24. The show features Jake Johnson, Ben Stiller, and tennis legends Andy Roddick and John McEnroe.