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Bowen Yang Reveals Why He Left Saturday Night Live Mid-Season
Yang said he felt SNL would be fine without him, then returned for half of season 51 after Lorne Michaels asked him to help guide new cast members.
- Comedian Bowen Yang concluded his seven-season run on Saturday Night Live in December 2025, announcing his departure mid-season after joining as a writer in 2018. His exit marked a significant cast change for the long-running show.
- Yang previously explained he felt it was "time" to go, noting he never felt "that central" to the series. The 35-year-old comedian believed the show was in a "great place without me," prompting his decision to exit.
- Creator Lorne Michaels personally persuaded Yang to remain for the first half of Season 51, asking him to "set an example" for new cast members including Ben Marshall and Veronika Slowikowska. This request convinced Yang to delay his original exit plan.
- His final episode aired in December featuring musical guest Cher and host Ariana Grande. Yang felt "good" about his decision to stay, describing his sendoff sketch as the "thing I'm proudest of."
- Yang told USA TODAY at the Gold Gala in May he experienced a "soft landing" after leaving the show. He avoided jumping into "something super taxing" right away, allowing a smooth transition from his seven-season tenure.
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Bowen Yang reveals why he exited SNL midway through season
Comedian joined ‘SNL’ in 2018 and appeared in his last episode in December 2025
·London, United Kingdom
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Bowen Yang lifts lid on 'Saturday Night Live' exit
Bowen Yang has opened up about his exit from Saturday Night Live, citing that he was not “central” to the show. Yang served on SNL for seven-and-a-half series before departing halfway through season 51 at the end of 2025. During his final episode, which aired on December 20th, 2025, Yang was able to say a proper farewell on air, which saw the comic tear up. Now, in the latest edition of Variety and CNN’s Actors on Actors with Rachel Sennott, Yan…
·United Kingdom
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Total News Sources9
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Left
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources lean Left
80% Left
L 80%
C 20%
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