Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner Reflect on SNL’s Challenges and Friendship

By Zoe Papadakis | Wednesday, 29 October 2025 01:03 PM EDT
Former “Saturday Night Live” castmates Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner have shared their experiences working on the NBC comedy sketch series, describing it as “not the easiest place to work.” The two reunited on Nwodim’s “Thanks Dad” podcast, discussing their time at SNL, their friendship, and the competitive environment of the high-pressure show.

Nwodim, who left the show in September after seven seasons, noted the challenges of balancing creativity with personal growth. “The sketches come, they go, they’re really fun. They can be hard, they can be things you’re not into,” she said. She praised Gardner for being a “light in what can be such a challenging place.”

Gardner, who exited the show in August after eight seasons, echoed Nwodim’s sentiments, highlighting their shared dedication to both their careers and friendship. “We’re humans, so we have egos, we want things for ourselves, we want to succeed,” she said. She also reflected on Nwodim’s viral “Miss Eggy” moment on “Weekend Update,” calling it a standout achievement.

Both expressed pride in their work on SNL and gratitude for the lessons learned during their time on the show.