If you were hired for your dream job and then fired after
only a year, how would you feel?
Nasim Pedrad, both graduates of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (which, of
course, began here in Chicago.)
There were two writers from UCB hired as well our very own Michael
Patrick O'Brien.
Casey Wilson (a controversial player (re: allegedly not funny)) and recent hire
Michaelia Watkins have not had their contracts renewed. 
For Watkins, it was a brief stay at Studio 8H. She appeared as Arianna Huffington, and other support roles. She
returns from whence she came; Los Angeles.
Was one season long enough to evaluate a hire? Obviously,
they design their contracts with that in mind, but what qualities did she have
that prompted them to hire her in the first place? Was she hired (in their
mind, not hers) for just the one season? Did her "you're hired!" qualities
disapate after she moved to New York? I'm sure those are the kind of questions
that plague anyone after being fired after such a short time; I feel for her.
Conversely, she got to meet a lot of people, maybe make some
connections. She's relatively famous now (she's appearing in An Improvised
Blog, isn't she!? And had a Q&A in the New York Times.) Hell, she's got one
season's worth of residuals coming to her. That's a nice severance. I wish her
luck.
Casey Wilson, I have always liked her. Right off the top of
my head, I can't mention any of her characters, and maybe that speaks to
something, but I like her anyway. I think she's talented and I'm sure she'll
land rightsideup.
There are Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday
prime-time specials on Sept. 17 and 24. The regular show premieres on Sept. 26.
Just wanted to point out that one of the other writers hired is Hannibal Burress, a stand-up comic from Chicago! :)
My condolences to Ms. Watkins & Ms. Wilson. Long since the days of Jane Curtain, Gilda Radner and Lorraine Newman, SNL has struggled to find the best way to showcase its female talent. Every once and a while you get your singular female 'star', i.e., Molly Shannon, Amy Poehler, who will take center stage and get run into the ground (Kristen Wiig anyone?) leaving the other female performers to languish.
Say all you will about MadTV, they were able to showcase all the female talent.
Oh well. I'm sure these talented ladies will find greener pastures.
P.S. Wilson is a funny lady, IMO. Her Funny or Die bit where she responds to internet critics is hilarious.