Bowen Yang, a beloved cast member of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ has exited the show after seven seasons, with his final appearance airing on December 23, 2025. Despite strong efforts by show creator Lorne Michaels to persuade him to stay, Yang decided to leave due to a combination of personal dissatisfaction and a demanding schedule of external commitments.
Yang’s departure was confirmed through social media posts and reports from insiders. In an Instagram statement, he expressed gratitude for his time on the show and thanked Michaels for the opportunity, highlighting the supportive environment at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. However, sources indicate that Yang had been contemplating leaving for some time, with initial plans to exit after Season 50 before being convinced to return with a financial incentive.
Lorne Michaels and NBC reportedly ‘threw a ton of money’ at Yang to retain him for the current season, but monetary incentives were insufficient to address his underlying discontent. Insiders describe Yang as ‘over it’ and ‘not happy,’ with no single event prompting his decision but rather a gradual accumulation of factors.
A key reason for Yang’s exit is his burgeoning career outside of SNL. He co-hosts the popular podcast ‘Las Culturistas’ with Matt Rogers and has been involved in film projects, most notably a role in the ‘Wicked’ movies. His co-star Ariana Grande personally intervened to secure time off for him to film, illustrating the scheduling conflicts. Additionally, Yang is developing new comedy projects, which contributed to his feeling overextended.
The departure coincides with significant cast changes at SNL, including the exits of Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and others before Season 51. Yang was reportedly upset by these cuts, particularly Gardner’s, which may have influenced his decision. The show has faced challenges with cast turnover, and Yang’s mid-season exit is unusual, as Michaels typically prefers summer transitions.
Yang’s final episode featured host Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher, with his last sketch portraying a Delta flight lounge attendant—a poignant metaphor for his departure. Backstage, there was chatter that the sketch might be cut, but it aired as the closing segment, with Yang becoming emotional during both the dress rehearsal and live show.
Looking ahead, Yang has a slate of TV and film projects in the works, including an untitled comedy for Searchlight that he is co-writing and co-starring in with Rogers. His exit marks the end of an era for SNL, where he was known for memorable characters and sketches, such as his impersonation of George Santos.
For SNL, losing a high-profile cast member like Yang amid other departures could impact the show’s dynamics and audience appeal. As the series navigates this transition, fans and industry observers will be watching to see how the cast evolves and whether new talents can fill the void left by veterans like Yang.
