Here’s how Bowen Yang’s final “Saturday Night Live” episode covered his exit.
Bowen Yang quits ‘Saturday Night Live’ after six years
Bowen Yang is bidding farewell to “Saturday Night Live” after joining the show in 2018 and rising from writer to fan-favorite standout cast member.
Bowen Yang has terminated his contract.
The Dec. 20 episode of “Saturday Night Live” was a farewell show for the longtime cast member, who confirmed his departure earlier that day.
The comedian got a big sendoff with a skit in which he played an airport worker on his last shift, and everything his character said applies to Yang as he leaves the show.
“It’s sad,” he said in the sketch. “I’m going to miss everything about this place. The smell. The celebrities that have come. You know, Josh O’Connor was here just last week!”
Yang’s final “SNL” episode was hosted by her “Wicked” co-star Ariana Grande, and the musical guest was Cher, whom Yang has expressed admiration for in the past. Ms. Grande appeared in Mr. Yang’s farewell sketch and said she was “so proud” of Mr. Yang and all the work he had done before the two of them sang together.
Kenan Thompson also stopped by the sketch to tell Yang, “Good luck. I’ll miss you.”
Near the end of the sketch, Yang appeared understandably emotional and reflected, “I feel really lucky to be able to work here. And I just wanted to enjoy this job a little bit more.” He also told his boss, played by Cher, “I owe my future success to this place.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68qa6YmXXSPo
Beyond this sketch, “SNL” gave Yang plenty to do throughout the final episode. Early on, Grande brought out Yang for an opening monologue, and Yang received enthusiastic applause from the audience. “Can I just say how much I loved your line in ‘Wicked’?” she joked.
Aidy Bryant returns to ‘SNL’ and ‘Weekend Update’ for Bowen Yang’s send-off
Former cast member Aidy Bryant then made a surprise return to “Weekend Update,” where she and Yang reprized their recurring “trend forecaster” characters.
Yang joined “SNL” as a writer in 2018 and as a cast member in 2019. He received five Emmy nominations during his time on the show, including four nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series from 2021 to 2025. Yang’s repertoire of characters included politicians such as Vice President J.D. Vance and former Congressman George Santos.
In an Instagram post announcing his departure on the day of the show, Yang wrote, “I loved working on SNL and most of all, I loved the people,” adding, “I was there at a time when so many things in the world started to seem pointless, but working on 30 Rock taught me the value of just showing up if people thought it was worth it.”
Yang also thanked Grande for “sending me off in the most dreamy way imaginable” in an Instagram post.
Yang’s departure is the latest departure for “SNL” after major cast changes between seasons. Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim were among those who left the cast before the Season 51 premiere.
