> At a Glance
> – Bowen Yang wrapped his seven-season Saturday Night Live run on Dec. 20
> – The comedian confirmed his exit on the Jan. 7 Las Culturistas episode
> – Yang joined SNL in 2019 as the show’s first Chinese American cast member
> – Why it matters: His departure marks the end of an era for one of the show’s breakout stars and signals a new chapter in his career
Bowen Yang is signing off from Studio 8H. After seven seasons, the five-time Emmy nominee bid farewell to Saturday Night Live and shared candid thoughts on why he’s ready to move on.
The Final Bow
Yang’s last episode aired Dec. 20, capping a tenure that began in 2019. His emotional exit sketch-playing a Delta One Lounge worker on his last shift-almost didn’t make it to air. “I was like, ‘there’s a million reasons why I could get cut. Nothing is guaranteed,'” he told listeners on the Las Culturistas podcast.
The segment survived, book-ending a historic run that made Yang one of SNL‘s first openly gay repertory players and a breakout fan favorite.
Why He’s Leaving Now
On the podcast released Jan. 7, Yang distilled his decision into three words: “It’s time.” He cited the seven-season benchmark many cast members use and expressed gratitude that external forces didn’t dictate his timeline.
- COVID-era industry upheaval often keeps performers longer than planned
- Yang said he had the “privilege” to leave on his own terms
- “I stayed on exactly as long as I wanted to”
Looking back, Yang admitted he wavered during summer 2025 contract talks. “I was maybe unsure about going back… and I’m so glad I did,” he reflected, noting the extra stretch let him end with intention.
Key Takeaways
- Bowen Yang departs after 87 episodes and five Emmy nominations
- He exits alongside a wave of cast turnover as SNL retools for its next era
- Yang will continue co-hosting Las Culturistas and developing new projects
As the curtain falls, Yang’s mix of sharp impressions and original characters leaves big shoes-and high heels-to fill.
