Bowen Yang bids farewell to “Saturday Night Live” in a heartfelt final sketch that marked his last appearance on the show. The news of Yang’s departure was announced just a day before the episode aired, ending his eight-season run on the iconic comedy series.
Yang first joined “SNL” as a writer in Season 44 in 2018 and later transitioned to a featured player in Season 45 before becoming a main cast member in Season 47. In his final sketch, Yang portrayed a flight attendant at the Delta One lounge with a broken eggnog machine on his last shift.
Reflecting on his time on the show, Yang’s character expressed his fondness for the place, the celebrities he encountered, and the memories he made. Host Ariana Grande, who shared the screen with Yang in the “Wicked” movies, made a special appearance as a family member bidding him farewell.
As Yang and Grande sang a song together on stage, musical guest Cher joined in, playing the role of the eggnog maker’s boss. Emotions ran high as Yang choked up, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to work on the show and the meaningful connections he formed with the cast and crew.
During the final goodbyes at the end of the show, Grande gave a heartfelt shoutout to Yang, expressing love and appreciation for his contributions to “SNL.” Yang’s departure mid-season follows the exits of several other cast members before Season 51, a rare occurrence in the show’s history.
Outside of “Saturday Night Live,” Yang co-hosts the popular pop culture podcast “Las Culturistas” with Matt Rogers. The duo recently hosted the Las Culturistas Awards as a full awards show broadcast on Bravo and Peacock. Additionally, Yang reprised his role as Pfannee in the hit musical “Wicked: For Good” this fall and is working on an upcoming comedy project with Rogers for Searchlight Pictures.
Bowen Yang’s farewell from “SNL” marks the end of an era for the talented comedian, but his future endeavors promise to continue showcasing his unique humor and creativity in the entertainment industry.
