Bowen Yang to depart SNL mid-season, reports say
Deadline and Variety report the departure; NBC has not commented; mid-season exits are rare.
Bowen Yang is departing Saturday Night Live in the middle of his eighth season, according to reports from Deadline and Variety.
NBC's late-night sketch program is set to air Episode 9 of Season 51 this weekend, with Ariana Grande serving as host and Cher as the musical guest. Yang's last appearance is reportedly this episode. The show and Yang's representatives have not commented, and Yang has not publicly confirmed the reports.
Midseason departures from SNL are rare; the last time a cast member left midseason was Cecily Strong in 2022. Other notable exits include Molly Shannon in 2001, Dana Carvey in 1993, and Eddie Murphy in 1984. Norm Macdonald also left midseason after being fired in 1998.
Yang, known for Wicked and co-hosting the Las Culturistas podcast, told People in September that he had discussed his future with SNL creator Lorne Michaels; Michaels encouraged him and described SNL as a boot camp and a launching pad for further opportunities.
The reported departure follows a broader shakeup in the SNL cast ahead of Season 51, with Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim leaving the show.
Observers view this as part of an ongoing recalibration of the long-running NBC program.