Chloe Fineman says SNL boss was at World Cup during exit call

Chloe Fineman says SNL boss Lorne Michaels was watching a World Cup match—England versus Argentina—when she called to say she was leaving Saturday Night Live. He asked to call her back from the game, and they later had what she called a really lovely chat about her exit.

Fineman told the story to Variety at Monday night’s Los Angeles premiere of Apple TV’s pickleball comedy “The Dink.” Fans following cast shake-ups can find more coverage in our Streaming & TV Alerts section.

Key Takeaways

• Michaels was watching England vs. Argentina when Fineman called about leaving “SNL.”
• He said he would call back from the game; they later shared a warm exit conversation.
• She announced her departure on July 16 after seven seasons and said she left on a high note.
• Her first post-“SNL” series-regular role is in Netflix’s Myron Bolitar adaptation.

What did Chloe Fineman say about calling Lorne Michaels?

According to Fineman, the timing was pure Lorne. “In classic form, he was watching England vs. Argentina,” she told Variety. Michaels replied that he would call her back because he was at the game.

She joked that she assumed he was rooting for England “because you’re energetically very British.” When he called back, she said, they had “a really lovely chat.”

Why does Fineman’s SNL exit matter now?

Fineman announced on July 16 that she was leaving after seven seasons. In an Instagram post, she wrote that it was time for her next chapter, calling “SNL” her home and the people there her family, while stressing she would never be too far away.

She joined the show in 2019 and became known for impressions including Jennifer Coolidge, Timothée Chalamet, Drew Barrymore, Britney Spears, and JoJo Siwa. When the exit news went public, she said she cried—and wept again when Colin Jost called her the day of the premiere remarks. “I’m happy that after seven years, I leave on a high note,” she said.

What’s next for Chloe Fineman after Saturday Night Live?

Her first major post-“SNL” job is a series-regular role in Netflix’s “Myron Bolitar” series, inspired by Harlan Coben’s books. The cast also includes Jabari Banks and Jamie McShane as series regulars, with Ben McKenzie in a recurring guest role. Series leads include Colin Woodell, KJ Apa, and Diane Guerrero.

Fineman was promoting “The Dink,” which also stars Jake Johnson, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Patton Oswalt, Martin Kove, Mary Steenburgen, and Ed Harris, plus tennis legends Andy Roddick and John McEnroe. The sports comedy premieres on Apple TV on July 24.