Why Is Bowen Yang Exiting ‘Saturday Night time Stay’?
Bowen Yang is reportedly saying goodbye to Saturday Night Live — and fans are already bracing themselves.
According to Variety, the 35-year-old comedian and breakout fan favorite is expected to exit the long-running sketch show following the Saturday, December 20 episode, which will be hosted by his Wicked costar Ariana Grande with Cher as the musical guest. While NBC and SNL have not officially confirmed the news, the timing alone feels symbolic: a major pop culture moment marking the end of an era.
Yang first joined SNL during season 44 as a writer before quickly making history as the show’s first openly gay male cast member when he was promoted to featured player the following year. By season 47, he was a full-fledged repertory player — and one of the show’s most reliable scene-stealers, known for his sharp delivery, viral characters, and Weekend Update appearances that often stole the episode.
So… why is he leaving? For now, that part remains unclear. No official reason has been given, and Yang himself hasn’t publicly addressed the reported exit.
But his departure comes amid a massive cast shake-up that reshaped the show ahead of season 51.
Earlier this year, several cast members exited, including Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim. Nwodim confirmed her departure with a heartfelt Instagram post, writing, “The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight. But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL.” She added, “I am immensely grateful to Lorne for the opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship.”
While Variety later reported that circumstances surrounding Nwodim’s exit shifted after initial announcements were made — prompting her to pursue opportunities outside the show — the result has been a noticeable wave of change behind the scenes.
Gardner, who joined SNL in 2017 and became one of its longest-serving cast members, also departed ahead of season 51. Though she hasn’t publicly commented on her exit, her close friendship with Nwodim was well documented. “We have a very special relationship,” Nwodim said in a 2024 interview with The Wrap. Gardner echoed the sentiment, adding, “What I learned the most in that time about Ego was how respectful and wonderful she is.”
Other recent exits included Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow — the latter of whom many fans expected to stick around longer.
Interestingly, Yang himself reflected on the cast turnover earlier this year on his podcast Las Culturistas, calling Gardner “one of the greats” and praising her generosity. “It was one of the most beautiful, kindest gestures I’ve ever seen at that show,” he said.