It looks like we’re about to say goodbye to one of the funniest, most specific, and most instantly iconic cast members Saturday Night Live has had in years.
According to multiple outlets, Bowen Yang is expected to exit SNL, with his final appearance set for Saturday, December 20, 2025.
The timing is perfectly on-brand, because the episode is reportedly hosted by his Wicked co-star Ariana Grande, with Cher as musical guest.
Why this feels like the end of an era
Bowen didn’t just “do well” on SNL, he helped define a whole era of the show’s comedy.
He brought a very particular mix of sharpness, sweetness, chaos, and cultural specificity that made sketches feel modern without trying too hard.
He also became one of the show’s most visible LGBTQ+ performers, and one of the rare cast members whose presence felt like representation without the show needing to make a “moment” out of it every time.
From writer to breakout star
Yang first joined SNL behind the scenes as a writer in 2018 before moving on-camera the following year.
Once he hit the cast, he became a fast fan-favourite through a mix of original characters, perfectly weird energy, and those “how is he making this work?” performances that somehow always did.
Over the years, he also earned major industry recognition, including multiple Emmy nominations.
What’s next for Bowen
Part of what makes this exit feel inevitable is that Bowen’s career outside Studio 8H has been accelerating for a while.
He’s built a huge audience beyond SNL through projects like Fire Island, Bros, and his podcast Las Culturistas, while also stepping into bigger mainstream roles.
So even though it stings for fans, it also feels like the next chapter of someone who has clearly outgrown “just being a sketch guy,” in the best possible way.
A big moment for queer comedy fans
Queer people have always been funny on TV, but we haven’t always been allowed to be the kind of funny that becomes mainstream iconic.
Bowen made that space feel bigger, and he did it without sanding down his voice into something “more palatable.”
Now we just need SNL to keep the door open behind him.
So yes, we’re emotional
If this really is his last show, it’s going to be one of those episodes fans talk about for years.
And if Ariana and Cher are truly the send-off lineup, it’s basically the gayest possible blessing we could ask for.
Thank you for the characters, the chaos, and the cultural reset moments, Bowen.
📷 IG: @ nbc