Comedian Bowen Yang has announced his departure from Saturday Night Live (SNL) midway through his eighth season with the iconic sketch comedy series. Yang is set to make his final appearance on October 28, 2023, during a show hosted by Ariana Grande, with Cher as the musical guest. The reasons for his sudden exit remain undisclosed.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Yang expressed his appreciation for the team and reflected on his time with the show. “I loved working at SNL, and most of all I loved the people,” he wrote. “I was there at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile, but working at 30 Rock taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile.”
Yang, 35, has been a prominent figure on the cast, gaining recognition for memorable sketches such as “The Iceberg That Sank the Titanic,” where he comically portrayed the infamous iceberg, and the “Straight Male Friend” commercial, which featured Travis Kelce. His impressions of public figures, including expelled congressman George Santos, further showcased his versatility. Yang has also earned five Emmy Awards nominations for his contributions to the series.
Yang’s Journey and Future Prospects
Since joining SNL as a staff writer in 2018, Yang has made a significant impact as the show’s first Chinese American cast member. He quickly transitioned to on-air talent and became a series regular by 2019. His ascent through the ranks highlights the evolving representation within the program, which has faced criticism for its lack of diversity over the years.
In a recent interview with People magazine, Yang acknowledged the natural turnover at SNL and alluded to his future beyond the show. “It’s this growing, living thing where new people come in and you do have to sort of make way for them and to grow and to keep elevating themselves,” he stated. “And that inevitably requires me to sort of hang it up at some point — but I don’t know what the vision is yet.”
Yang’s departure follows that of several other cast members who left ahead of the current season, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Devon Walker. His representatives did not respond to requests for comment from NPR, while the network NBCUniversal acknowledged Yang’s social media post but declined further comment.
Impact on SNL and Community Reactions
Though mid-season departures are uncommon, SNL has seen a few notable exits in its history, including those of Cecily Strong and Eddie Murphy. Fellow entertainers have taken to social media to celebrate Yang’s contributions. Actor Evan Ross Katz described him as “Iconic. (Understatement)” on Instagram, while comedian Amber Ruffin congratulated him and humorously suggested he produce more versions of The Wedding Banquet.
NPR critic-at-large Eric Deggans noted that Yang’s exit, though perhaps expected, represents a setback for the show. “SNL thrives when it has a large crop of utility players who can pull comedic gold from the dodgiest sketch ideas,” he remarked. Yang’s ability to extract humor from a range of characters, from the Titanic iceberg to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has been a significant asset.
Deggans concluded that while Yang may have reached a peak on SNL, his departure could open doors to new opportunities. “It might be time for him to leave, while his star is still ascending and there are opportunities beyond the program available to him which might not be around for long,” he stated.
As Yang prepares for life after SNL, his contributions to the show and its legacy of representation will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
