Breaking: Bowen Yang Announces Departure From Saturday Night Live Midseason
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Bowen Yang, a standout performer on Saturday Night Live, will exit the NBC show following this week’s episode. The announcement came after intense speculation and was confirmed by Yang in a Saturday Instagram post. In his message, he expressed gratitude for the time spent at the iconic studio and for the people he worked with, emphasizing the value of showing up even when circumstances feel uncertain.
Yang also thanked this week’s host and his Wicked co-star Ariana Grande for helping him bid farewell in a memorable way. Promos for the forthcoming episode featuring Yang, Grande and Cher were released ahead of the broadcast.
Questions had circulated whether Yang would finish the current season. He joined SNL in Season 45 after spending a year on the show’s writing staff, taking on a variety of impersonations and characters, including political figures and offbeat personas.His work earned him a fifth Emmy nomination during SNL’s historic 50th season.
Beyond SNL, Yang has kept a busy slate. He co-hosts the popular podcast Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers, and the duo’s Las Culturistas culture Awards was broadcast on Bravo and streamed on Peacock this year. Yang also appeared in Wicked and its recent follow-up, Wicked: For Good, along with films such as The Wedding Banquet, Fire Island and Dicks the Musical.
In December,Yang and Rogers announced they would co-write and star in an untitled comedy for Searchlight Pictures.The project reportedly follows two Americans touring the world in pursuit of entry to the exclusive Berghain nightclub in Berlin.
Yang’s departure places him among several SNL alumni who left midseason in the past, reinforcing that midseason exits are not unprecedented. ahead of Season 51, NBC reshaped the cast again, adding five featured players after multiple departures. Returning veterans and newer faces alike have navigated a shifting ensemble as production continues.
The 51st season is slated to resume in early 2026 and run through May, continuing to showcase the show’s evolving lineup.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Leaving SNL after this week’s episode |
| confirmation | Instagram post by Bowen Yang |
| On-show tenure | As Season 45; previously part of the writing staff |
| Notable impressions | Impersonations including J.D. Vance, Fran Lebowitz, Moo Deng |
| Awards | fifth Emmy nomination for SNL’s 50th season |
| Other projects | Las Culturistas podcast; Wicked films; Searchlight Pictures comedy in advancement |
| Season status | Current season status uncertain; 51st season resumes early 2026 |
Context & evergreen insights
Midseason departures on SNL have occured before, reflecting the show’s dynamic and evolving cast. This latest move follows a broader reshuffling that included new featured players ahead of Season 51. Yang’s breadth of work-from sketch performances to film projects and a successful podcast-illustrates the diverse career path many SNL alumni pursue after leaving the show. As Yang transitions, audiences can expect more updates on his forthcoming Searchlight Pictures project and additional appearances beyond the series.
Engagement questions
1) What are your favorite Bowen Yang moments on SNL,and which upcoming project are you most curious to see him tackle next?
2) How do you think SNL’s evolving cast will influence the show’s style and humor in the coming seasons?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation about this major casting development.
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