“SNL” host Austin Butler led the show’s cast in song during a performance of “Blue Christmas” to pay tribute to departing cast member Cecily Strong on Saturday. (You can watch Butler and the cast perform with Strong below).
“Saturday Night Live” confirmed via its social media accounts that it was “discussing” Strong, who joined the show in 2012, on this weekend’s episode.
Strong, the longest-serving cast member in “SNL” history, has taken on several impersonations over her years on the show, including rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), Tulsi Gabbard, Megyn Kelly and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
Her time on “SNL” was also marked by such characters as “The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Strike Up A Conversation With at a Party.”
Strong previously did not appear in the opening credits of this season’s first episode when he starred in “Searching for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe” in Los Angeles, noted The Hollywood Reporter.
She also took a break from show business while filming “Schmgadoon!”, according to the entertainment news site.
Her departure from “Saturday Night Live” follows the exits of several cast members — including Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon and Pete Davidson — after last season.
Longtime member Kenan Thompson opened Strong’s latest sketch by talking about his exit “at RadioShack” and joked that he gave the store “eight amazing years” despite his 11 years on the job.
Thompson later brought out the “Elvis” actor, whom Thompson considered “Casual Elvis,” to begin a rousing performance of “Blue Christmas.”
You can watch Butler, who was later joined by members of the “SNL” cast on stage, perform the Elvis Presley classic below.
