Bowen Yang
Bowen Yang
inception
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/13
#1Bowen Yang
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/
#2Bowen Yang
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.
#3Bowen Yang
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#4Bowen Yang
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.
DAME
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/15/04
#5Bowen Yang
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.
#6Bowen Yang
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
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#7Bowen Yang
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/21/20
#8Bowen Yang
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.
#9Bowen Yang
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#10Bowen Yang
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#11Bowen Yang
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.
#12Bowen Yang
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.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#13Bowen Yang
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
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/24
#14Bowen Yang
Posted: 12/21/25 at 9:49am
Last nights opening number strongly suggests he should do a play not a musical!
#15Bowen Yang
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)
#16Bowen Yang
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.
Drage1963
Joined: 12/26/25
#17Bowen Yang
Posted: 1/12/26 at 6:35am
Bowen Yang leaving SNL after this weekend’s episode opens up exciting possibilities! Given his comedy chops and previous theater experience, Broadway could definitely be on the cards for him. However, with his rising star power, it’s just as likely that he has bigger TV or film projects in mind. Either way, it’s clear that his talent will keep shining beyond SNL!
#18Bowen Yang
Posted: 1/12/26 at 8:18pm
Well, he is in a bit of hot water now after agreeing with Matt about Jasmine Crockett.
#19Bowen Yang
Posted: 1/12/26 at 9:13pm
Great on pop culture, moronic on anything outside of their world (which is anything outside of pop culture). Haven’t been able to listen to them since 2024.
TheGingerBreadMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/7/12
#20Bowen Yang
Posted: 1/12/26 at 9:16pm
Drage1963 said: "Bowen Yang leaving SNL after this weekend’s episode opens up exciting possibilities! Given his comedy chops and previous theater experience, Broadway could definitely be on the cards for him. However, with his rising star power, it’s just as likely that he has bigger TV or film projects in mind. Either way, it’s clear that his talent will keep shining beyond SNL!"
This reads like an AI response. This new account must be a bot.
#21Bowen Yang
Posted: 1/13/26 at 8:12am
Was listening to his "exit interview" on his podcast and it sounds like he already has a really full plate for this year, with Olypmics coverage, the next Las Culturistas Awards show, their book, their new movie for Searchlight, some other things they haven't announced yet. While the week to week grind is over, he's gonna be busy.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#22Bowen Yang
Posted: 1/13/26 at 4:01pm
everythingtaboo said: "Was listening to his "exit interview" on his podcast and it sounds like he already has a really full plate for this year, with Olypmics coverage, the next Las Culturistas Awards show, their book, their new movie for Searchlight, some other things they haven't announced yet. While the week to week grind is over, he's gonna be busy."
I only watched portions of this latest episode because of the comments. They mention that they are also going to be in Japan, I think this summer, for something. They said they will be "touching things". Hoping they aren't included in the network broadcast of the Olympics. Just not a fan. But that is just me because they have a lot of fans! JMO
MezzA101
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/23
#23Bowen Yang
Posted: 1/23/26 at 7:05am
uncageg said: "Well, he is in a bit of hot water now after agreeing with Matt about Jasmine Crockett."
Two Comedians Told the Truth About Jasmine Crockett’s Campaign
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/opinion/jasmine-crockett-texas-win-las-culturistas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GlA.OMcg.5GbRghgXZstf&smid=nytcore-android-share
#24Bowen Yang
Posted: 1/23/26 at 8:14am
TheGingerBreadMan said: "Drage1963 said: "Bowen Yang leaving SNL after this weekend’s episode opens up exciting possibilities! Given his comedy chops and previous theater experience, Broadway could definitely be on the cards for him. However, with his rising star power, it’s just as likely that he has bigger TV or film projects in mind. Either way, it’s clear that his talent will keep shining beyond SNL!"
This reads like an AI response. This new account must be a bot."
It even appears they’re already a Broadway Legend after joining December 26. Just like one of Broadway Flashes newest accounts that’s also a Broadway Legend already…
My old account I’ve had for almost 2 decades that I can’t access anymore, forcing me to make a new one wasn’t even close to Legend status. Rob/BWW maybe hire better interns to troll the site?
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