Pete Davidson has always had a complicated, heartfelt relationship with Saturday Night Live. Recently, he talked about the prospect of going back to the famous Studio 8H stage. His answer was very Pete: he would come back, but only if Lorne Michaels himself asked him to. It was like hearing someone talk about a childhood home they had outgrown but still felt very connected to. Davidson didn’t try to hide or downplay it; he made it plain that the show changed him and maybe still has a part of him.
Davidson was on Saturday Night Live for almost ten years. He joined the show in 2014 when he was only 20 years old. It was like witnessing someone stumble into adulthood under glaring lights for years. His humour was so real that it made him unforgettable right away. Fans understood why he departed the program in 2022, even though they weren’t ready for it. SNL has been going through a lot of changes lately, with a lot of long-time cast members leaving and a lot of new ones coming in. This change naturally made people wonder how the show would change and who would come back.
Davidson didn’t hold back when asked what would draw him back in a recent interview with People. He said he would love to come back as a cast member, but only if Lorne Michaels asked him to directly. That condition wasn’t about pride; it was about respect. Davidson has always talked about Michaels with a level of gratitude that seems odd in the entertainment business. He said right away, “I had a great time hosting last time, and any time you get that call, it’s an honour and a privilege; it’s always relevant; it’s a hot show.” People are excited about it, and the cast is excellent. That guy saved my life. He got everything going. Lorne knows that I would do anything for him. When someone feels deeply supported at the correct time in their life, they might show a kind of loyalty that only comes from sharing those words.
Davidson didn’t only work at SNL. During some of the hardest times in his life, it provided a base, a way to express himself, and a lifeline. People who followed his trip knew how emotional he was when he got on stage. His jokes often walked a fine line between being honest and making fun of himself, but that honesty made him relevant to a whole generation. He wasn’t hesitant to talk about his loss, mental health, or complex relationships, and somehow he made those things funny without making them seem forced.
It’s clear why he wouldn’t find it easy to go back. Davidson had room to flourish outside of SNL after leaving the program. He did movies, TV shows and stand-up specials that let him build his identity outside of the Lorne Michaels environment. His latest work on The Rookie and his own semi-autobiographical ventures indicate that he is more than just a comic attempting to make people laugh; he is also an artist trying to figure out where he fits in the world. But even with all the new chances, it seems like a part of him is still connected to the spot where it all started.
Saturday Night Live is going through a tough time right now. The show seems to be changing its identity as older cast members leave and younger ones join. When long-time cast members leave, fans typically worry about what will happen next. There are usually a lot of questions: Will the chemistry change? Will new talent be good enough? Will the show stay culturally relevant? People keep bringing up Davidson’s name in these talks because he stands for a time that was free, random, and very human.
The comedian’s possible return means more than just missing him. For viewers, it’s a sign of continuity and a reminder that some comic voices seem to be a part of the show. It’s an opportunity for the program to reconnect with someone who knows its beat by heart. And for Davidson, it might be an emotional return to a location that taught him how to transform weakness into strength.
Davidson also said during the interview that the sketch show still feels like one of his “homes.” That one word—home—means a lot. It shows how the show affected him emotionally and maybe hints at unfinished creative work. When someone calls a job “home,” it indicates that it provided them more than just a pay cheque. It gave them a sense of who they are, where they fit in, and what they should do. That’s why what he said about waiting for Lorne’s call seems so personal. It’s not about being formal. It’s about giving credit to the guy who altered his life.
People who have followed Davidson’s career are interested in the possibility of him going back to SNL. What would he bring back to the stage now that he has grown and been in the public eye for years? How would he fit in with the new cast? And how would his comedy change on a platform that has always needed rapid wit and surprise? It seems that if he ever comes back, he would be a better, more experienced version of himself—someone who has fallen, learnt, and kept going.
Davidson’s transparency gives audiences a look at the connection between a performer and a show that impacted him, even if that phone call from Michaels never happens. Sometimes creative relationships last long after the official part is over. They stay in the background and discreetly shape future decisions. Davidson seems to be carrying that relationship with a sense of humility, respect, and a little bit of sadness.
