Response to Comment

I'm a frequent reader of the SNL message boards on nbc.com. From time to time, I'll post my thoughts on what some people have been commenting on.

Here's a comment from amyfairycakes, talking about which castmembers will/won't return this season:
"I'd honestly be quite surprised if Casey came back. She's been there for the best part of two seasons and it's clear something is just not working. She's been totally under-utilised especially compared to Abby/Michaela, and I wonder whether she's up for another season of playing second string to Kristen and not being able to showcase her comedy skills."

My response to this is: Yes, no doubt that Casey is at best struggling to find her place on the show. True, I find it odd that the two new girls, Abby and Michaela, are getting more camera time than her already. However, honestly I'd be surprised if Casey did NOT come back. Here's the thing: Casey wasn't hired to compete with Kristen Wiig for face time. Clearly Kristen is the main female star on the show, and that isn't going to change anytime soon. Casey was hired to be just what you said: Second string. True, she's still struggling at times out there, I'm not questioning that, but the newer castmates are starting to gel on stage, and by cutting Casey you must now go find another young female castmember to take her spot, and basically start all over. Truth be told--Casey will never be the star, but she's not supposed to be. She'll get a couple of sketches a night and maybe she'll develop a good character or two. Her job, for however long she ends up being on SNL will be to fill in the gaps. Abby and Michaela both seem like they'll end up better overall castmembers than Casey. But I'm giving Casey a little slack. They don't ask her to be a star.
So, overall, yes Casey needs to improve. But she's got lower expectations being the "backup" to Kristen and the two new castmembers.