Comedian and actor Bowen Yang has publicly addressed the reasons behind his departure from the long-running sketch comedy institution, Saturday Night Live. In a candid conversation on his podcast, Yang offered a frank explanation for ending his seven-season run on the show.
The Decision to Move On
During the Wednesday episode of Las Culturistas, the podcast he co-hosts with comedian Matt Rogers, Yang stated his reasoning was straightforward. "This is honestly what's behind it: It's time," Yang said, just over five minutes into the recording. He elaborated that a seven-season tenure felt like a natural cycle, suggesting, "You would do seven seasons, and then you would scoot."
Yang acknowledged the unstable nature of the current entertainment industry, noting that the post-COVID media landscape is "so turbulent" that some cast members stay longer out of necessity or lack the privilege to leave when they wish. He expressed gratitude for his position, stating, "I have this very beautiful thing where I get to say that I stayed on exactly as long as I wanted to."
A Bittersweet and Last-Minute Change
Yang's final appearance was during Season 51, in a memorable sketch featuring music icons Cher and Ariana Grande. In the meta segment, Yang portrayed an airport employee on his last shift, delivering a performance more sincere and emotional than the show's typical fare.
He revealed on his podcast that the sketch was originally conceived as a wackier bit, involving an eggnog machine that sprayed people. The shift to a more tender tone was credited to SNL creator Lorne Michaels. Yang recalled Michaels approaching him before the live show and advising, "I think it's better if it's just you guys and you just play into the emotion of it." This guidance shaped Yang's poignant on-screen goodbye in December.
Contrasting Exits for SNL Cast Members
While Yang's departure appears to have been amicable and on his own terms, the same cannot be said for all recent cast exits. Ahead of Season 51, several cast members did not return, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Devon Walker after Season 50. None received a formal send-off akin to Yang's.
Devon Walker, who left after three seasons, was particularly vocal about his experience. In an August Instagram post, Walker did not specify if he quit or was fired but offered a mixed review. "Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell," he wrote. "We made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a fucked up lil family."
Yang also shared that he had considered leaving earlier, during the summer before his final season. "I was maybe unsure about going back in the summer, and I'm so glad I did," he reflected, confirming his unconventional mid-season exit was ultimately the right choice for him.
