Bowen Yang Departs ‘Saturday Night Live’ After Eight Seasons
Bowen Yang, a prominent member of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), is set to leave the show following its recent episode. As of now, neither Yang nor SNL representatives have confirmed this move. There has been anticipation about whether he would remain through the end of the current season.
Bowen Yang’s Journey on SNL
Yang joined SNL in Season 45, transitioning from a year as a writer. He quickly became known for his versatile performances, including impersonations of notable figures such as Vice President J.D. Vance and Fran Lebowitz, and even a character named Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus.
During his time on the show, Yang received five Emmy nominations, a testament to his talent and popularity. His contributions were particularly recognized during SNL’s historic 50th season.
Upcoming Appearance and Future Projects
Yang’s final episode will feature his friend and co-star Ariana Grande as host, alongside musical guest Cher. Beyond SNL, he has been actively involved in various projects. Yang co-hosts the well-received podcast “Las Culturistas” with comedian Matt Rogers, which recently gained attention with its first televised Culture Awards on Bravo that also streamed on Peacock.
- Featured in the “Wicked” film series, including the sequel “Wicked: For Good”
- Appeared in films such as “The Wedding Banquet,” “Fire Island,” and “Dicks the Musical”
- In December, announced co-writing and starring in a new comedy for Searchlight Pictures
Cast Changes and SNL’s Future
Yang’s departure marks another significant change in the SNL cast. He is following in the footsteps of other famous alumni who have left during the season, including Cecily Strong and Amy Poehler. Such midseason departures are not uncommon for the show.
Before Season 51 began, SNL’s executive producer Lorne Michaels implemented notable cast changes, incorporating five new featured players after several exits. These included Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, and Michael Longfellow, among others.
The 51st season of SNL is set to continue into early 2026, culminating in May as part of the standard television schedule.
