Andy Samberg Announces 'SNL' Departure

Andy Samberg, 33, has decided to follow in the footsteps of Kristen Wiig, 38, by announcing that he will not be returning to season 38 of NBC's Saturday Night Live in the fall, following his seven-year SNL stint that began in 2005 and has featured him in such iconic skits as "Lazy Sunday," with Chris Parnell, 45, "D--- in a Box," with Justin Timberlake, 31, and a bevy of "digital shorts," which Samberg helped launch on SNL.

"It's an incredibly emotional and strange moment in my life," Samberg told The New York Times on Friday. "Obviously it's not a huge shock, but I did officially decide not to come back," he continued, though many had suspected that "Lazy Sunday 2," his and Parnell's follwup to the original 2005 skit on this year's season finale, was Samberg's way of saying goodbye to SNL.

As for whether or not Wiig's decision encouraged Samberg to jump ship? "She kept saying it just feels like it's her time," Samberg told the paper. "I connect with that. Something about it just feels like it's the moment. My contract's up and I did so much more than I ever thought I would ever even do."

Unlike Wiig, Samberg didn't have an emotional tribute song dedicated to him by the entire Saturday Night Live cast and the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, who hosted the finale, to mark his departure, but he does have a new movie right around the corner. Catch That's My Boy with Samberg and Adam Sandler, in theaters on June 15.

For more on Samberg and Saturday Night Live:

VIDEO: Lindsay Lohan Hosts 'SNL' For First Time In Six Years

Mick Jagger To Host 'Saturday Night Live' Finale

WATCH: Will Ferrell Returns To Host 'SNL'

WATCH: Kristen Wiig 'Graduates' From 'Saturday Night Live'

Who Is Upcoming 'SNL' Musical Guest 'Gotye'?