“Saturday Night Live” star Bowen Yang confirmed recent reports that he is leaving the show for good after seven full seasons as a cast member. One of the biggest names of NBC’s beloved comedy program, he aptly chose Saturday to publish his heartfelt goodbye.
“i loved working at SNL, and most of all i loved the people,” Yang wrote on Instagram. “I was there at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile, but working at 30 rock taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile.”
The “Wicked” actor shared a carousel of photos, including a group image of the cast, behind-the-scenes looks at various sketches, candid dressing room shots and selfies outside the “SNL” studio at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York.
“i’m grateful for every minute of my time here,” Yang wrote Saturday.
He continued, “i learned about myself (bad with wigs). i learned about others (generous, vulnerable, hot). i learned that human error can be nothing but correct. i learned that comedy is mostly logistics and that it will usually fail until it doesn’t, which is the besssst.”
Yang’s announcement came on the heels of reports from Deadline and Variety that he was leaving “SNL” in the middle of his eighth season.
While Cecily Strong made a similar exit in 2022, mid-season departures for “SNL” cast members are rare. Among the names who’ve done so in the past are Molly Shannon in 2001, Dana Carvey in 1993 and Eddie Murphy in 1984. Norm Macdonald also left midseason, in 1998, but not on his own volition, as he was fired over his relentless on-air digs at O.J. Simpson.
Yang, who became a featured player in season 45 and was made a regular cast member two years later, thanked dozens of friends, former co-workers, “SNL” pages and past hosts in his announcement. He then acknowledged the show’s creator, Lorne Michaels.
“thank you to lorne for the job,” wrote Yang. “for the standard. and for bringing everyone at work together. they all care deeply about people in the room, any room, enjoying themselves. i can’t believe i was ever included in that.”
He concluded, “the show doesn’t go on because it’s ready, but shiiiiit, i hope i am.”