Key Takeaways
- Bowen Yang is expected to leave "Saturday Night Live" after this week’s episode
- Yang has been a cast member since Season 45 and has appeared in various roles, including impersonating Vice President J.D. Vance and Fran Lebowitz
- He has received five Emmy nominations for his work on the show, including one for the historic 50th season
- Yang has appeared in several other projects, including the "Wicked" film and its sequel, and has co-hosted the popular podcast "Las Culturistas"
- He is set to co-write and star in an untitled comedy for Searchlight Pictures with fellow comedian Matt Rogers
Introduction to Bowen Yang’s Departure
Bowen Yang, a fan-favorite cast member of "Saturday Night Live," is expected to leave the series after this week’s episode. Representatives for Yang and "Saturday Night Live" did not comment on the move, but there has been recent speculation about whether he would finish the current season of the show. Yang has been a part of the show since Season 45, after working on the writing staff for a year. He has taken on a variety of roles in the NBC sketch comedy series, including impersonating Vice President J.D. Vance, Fran Lebowitz, and pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng.
Yang’s Work on SNL
Yang’s work on "SNL" has been widely recognized, and he has received his fifth Emmy nomination for his work on the show’s historic 50th season. He is expected to appear in Saturday’s episode, hosted by his "Wicked" co-star and friend Ariana Grande, with musical guest Cher. Yang’s departure from the show is not entirely unexpected, as there have been rumors about his potential exit in recent months. However, his leaving mid-season is unusual, as most cast members typically depart during the summer hiatus.
Outside Projects and Ventures
Outside of "SNL," Yang has appeared in several other projects recently. He co-hosts the popular podcast "Las Culturistas" with fellow comedian Matt Rogers, and their seminal Las Culturistas Culture Awards was televised for the first time this year, airing on Bravo and streaming on Peacock. Yang also appeared in the "Wicked" film and its recent sequel, "Wicked: For Good," and has starred in several other feature films, including "The Wedding Banquet," "Fire Island," and "Dicks the Musical." In early December, Yang confirmed that he and Rogers would be co-writing and starring in an untitled comedy for Searchlight Pictures. The movie will reportedly follow two Americans who fly across the world to try to get into the exclusive Berghain nightclub in Berlin.
Cast Changes and the Future of SNL
Yang is not the first "Saturday Night Live" cast member to leave mid-season, as he joins the company of past "SNL" greats like Cecily Strong, Molly Shannon, and Amy Poehler, who exited the show outside of the traditional period for departures. Prior to the start of Season 51, NBC and executive producer Lorne Michaels made some major cast changes, adding five featured players after a series of departures. Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim exited the series before the season premiere in October. Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska joined the cast for the current season. Marshall was previously on the "SNL" writing staff and is known for his on-camera appearances as a part of the Please Don’t Destroy comedy trio.
Conclusion and Future Plans
The 51st season of "Saturday Night Live" will continue in early 2026 and run through the end of the television season in May. Yang’s departure from the show will likely be felt, but his legacy will live on through his impressive body of work on the series. With his upcoming projects, including the untitled comedy with Matt Rogers, Yang is sure to remain a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. As for "SNL," the show will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of comedy and entertainment, with a new crop of talented cast members and writers bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to the table.