Before the start of the season, Tim Meadows, Cheri Oteri and Colin Quinn left the show. With the three of them gone, the show added two new cast members. "SNL" head writer Tina Fey and Second City comedian Jerry Minor joined the cast as featured players at the start of the season. Fey had been a writer on the show since 1997 and began as the show's head writer in 1999. Rachel Dratch and Maya Rudolph remained featured players. Minor was let go following this season.