Comedian and actor Bowen Yang has spoken candidly about his decision to depart the iconic sketch show Saturday Night Live, detailing his final week and the emotions surrounding his exit.
An 'Exit Interview' on His Own Terms
Yang, 35, discussed his departure on the latest episode of the Las Culturalistas podcast, which he co-hosts with Matt Rogers. He aptly titled the Wednesday instalment 'Exit Interview.' His last appearance on the long-running NBC programme was on 20 December.
For his final sketch, Yang portrayed a Delta Airlines employee quitting his job, performing alongside that week's host, pop star Ariana Grande, and musical guest Cher. Reflecting on the moment, Yang told Rogers, 'I just looked out, and I thought, I’m so lucky that I ever got to work here, and I’m so lucky that I get to make this little statement that’s barely veiled, where I’m like, I love you all.'
Navigating a 'Turbulent' Entertainment Landscape
Yang was keen to emphasise that leaving was his choice, made amid broader industry instability and show firings. 'The current entertainment ecosystem is so turbulent that people have completely valid reasons for staying longer, or in a lot of cases, don’t have the privilege of staying on as long as they would like to,' he explained.
He expressed profound gratitude for his ability to dictate his own timeline: 'I have this very beautiful thing where I get to say that I stayed on exactly as long as I wanted to. I was maybe unsure about going back in the summer, and I’m so glad I did.' He also shared reassuring advice he received from former SNL star Amy Poehler: 'We’re all waiting for you on the other side.'
A Heartfelt Public Farewell
Following the news of his exit, Yang took to Instagram to post a lengthy and emotional thank you note. 'I loved working at SNL, and most of all I loved the people,' he began. He described learning the value of showing up during challenging times and shared humorous and poignant lessons from his tenure.
His gratitude extended to a long list of writers, cast members, crew, and producers. He specifically thanked Grande 'for sending me off in the dreamiest way I could imagine' and show creator Lorne Michaels 'for the job' and 'for the standard.'
Yang originally joined the Saturday Night Live team as a writer in 2018 before being promoted to a featured cast member in Season 45, where he quickly became a fan favourite for his sharp character work and commentary.
