Bowen Yang

[inception]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 2:13pm

Announced today Bowen Yang is leaving SNL after this weekend's episode.  Could he do Broadway, or does he have bigger things in mind?

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/bowen-yang-exit-snl-cast-1236612812/

Updated On: 12/19/25 at 02:13 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 2:19pm

It's certainly odd that he's leaving abruptly mid-season, particularly when he's the breakout star from the last several years. I know he was rumored to have been approached for Oh Mary but turned it down- I certainly wouldn't be surprised if he ended up doing it at some point. 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 2:19pm

Eh I don’t find him funny maybe we will see him in Oh Mary / Titanque soon

Updated On: 12/19/25 at 02:19 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 2:39pm

I found his role in the second Wicked strangely truncated. But the film didn't know what to do with any of the supporting players in this second act masquerading as a sequel (and to me, the central trio could've used more interaction with other players). He has screen top at the top and then disappears, probably on the cutting room floor. 

It crossed my mind that he was offered Maybe Happy Ending. 

Updated On: 12/19/25 at 02:39 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 2:45pm

His star is on the rise.  His podcast is extremely popular.  I don't know the reason for his exit.. but I think it is good for him.  Certainly a replacement in any broadway show would be a huge step down for him.. so I doubt that.  More movies, more podcasts, maybe some Bravo.  Can't wait.  He is very funny.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 3:27pm

He has never been one of my favorites on SNL. Although the Titanic Iceberg bit on Weekend Update still makes me laugh. He just seemed to always be the same in every sketch. But that's my opinion. I know people love him. It is strange that he is leaving mid-season, but it has happened on the show.

Wasn't super crazy about him in "Wicked". My eye was always on Bronwyn James when the two of them were onscreen. She was excellent.  JMO

Updated On: 12/19/25 at 03:27 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 3:36pm

He’s a 5-time Emmy Award nominee for SNL so it’s been a great run and time to move forward onto other projects. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 4:07pm

I don't watch SNL, but I found him really funny in the remake of The Wedding Banquet that came out earlier this year where he co-starred with Kelly Marie Tran and Lily Gladstone.

If he keeps doing things like that and fewer placeholder roles like the one he plays in Wicked he'll have a healthy career.

[joevitus]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 8:41pm

Auggie27 said: "I found his role in the second Wicked strangely truncated. But the film didn't know what to do with any of the supporting players in this second act masquerading as a sequel (and to me, the central trio could've used more interaction with other players). He has screen top at the top and then disappears, probably on the cutting room floor.

It crossed my mind that he was offered Maybe Happy Ending."

Are you suggesting that role is larger onstage? That Pfannee and ShenShen show up in the second half at all is an enlargement of their parts from the stage version.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/19/25 at 9:38pm

Nope. I'm responding to the creatives' announcement of their expansion of the stage material before the release of the first film, and a revisit to the Maguire text for more depth and world-building. With the split, they claimed they found more room for a fuller canvas of characters. The Shiv students were introduced as players in Glinda's part of the narrative, but other than the top of the second film, mostly disappear. Just an observation. 

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 12/20/25 at 1:01am

Kad said: "It's certainly odd that he's leaving abruptly mid-season, particularly when he's the breakout star from the last several years. I know he was rumored to have been approached for Oh Mary but turned it down- I certainly wouldn't be surprised if he ended up doing it at some point."

It's uncommon, but not unheard of. Both Cecily Strong and Seth Meyers left the show mid-season.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/20/25 at 11:01am

It's not uncommon for cast members to leave mid-season. I'm willing to bet he wanted to leave with the mass exodus this past summer, but they probably convinced him to stay a bit longer to help ease in the new cast members, and with Wicked coming, a great chance to have some spotlight with NBC/Universal, up to leaving with Ariana's hosting tonight. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/20/25 at 12:18pm

Chloe and Bowen joined the same season, so I wouldn’t be shocked if she finishes her run with the show after this season. Bowen leaving allows the opportunity to cast a mid season replacement and the show is currently lacking a woman of color in its cast. 

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 12/21/25 at 9:49am

Last nights opening number strongly suggests he should do a play not a musical!

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/21/25 at 10:50am

With 5 Emmy nominations for performance on the show, tying Kate McKinnon and besting Kenan Thompson (who has 3), it’s clear his talent has a lot of room to expand. Personally, many of my favorite sketches in the last few years have featured him and the other queer cast members (McKinnon, Punkie Johnson, et. al). They all have a good sensibility to elevate middling material.

With regard to stage, Bowen would seem to be an easy fit for Oh, Mary, though probably not Titanique. I truly think his brand of comedy skews more downtown and off-Broadway and that wouldn’t necessarily crossover to mainstream Broadway appeal (aside from Oh Mary)

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/21/25 at 12:39pm

Does Bowen have a musical history prior to SNL/Wicked? I don't think he's much of a singer.