Bowen Yang says he almost left SNL earlier but Is 'so glad' he came before signing off for good

Comedian Bowen Yang, who recently wrapped up a seven‑season run on Saturday Night Live (SNL), revealed that he almost left the show earlier before ultimately returning for one final run that gave him the “closure” he wanted. PEOPLE reports Yang reflected on his journey during a recent episode of his Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers.

Yang, who joined SNL as a writer in 2018 and became a cast member in 2019, said the decision to step away from the legendary sketch comedy series was influenced by both timing and changes within the entertainment world.

"This is honestly what’s behind it: it’s time. You would do seven seasons, and then you would scoot," Yang explained, acknowledging that leaving after such a long tenure was a natural point to move on.

"COVID and the current media landscape, the current entertainment ecosystem, is so turbulent that people have completely valid reasons for staying longer, or, in a lot of cases, don’t have the privilege of staying on as long as they would like to."

Yang admitted that he wasn’t always sure about coming back for the most recent season, saying, "I was maybe unsure about going back in the summer, and I’m so glad I did." That decision allowed him to leave on his own terms and enjoy moments he now cherishes, including his final sketch.

He also reflected on how unpredictable SNL can be, both in the writing room and on live television. Speaking about his farewell sketch, in which he portrayed a Delta One Lounge employee on his last shift, Yang said, “I was like, ‘There’s a million reasons why I could get cut. Nothing is guaranteed.’ Like that is sort of in a nutshell, like it kind of is perfectly illustrative of what that job is.” “And I feel. really this word is meaningless, I think maybe now but, like, so grateful,” he added.

Yang’s final SNL appearance aired on December 20, 2025, in a memorable episode that featured his Wicked co‑star Ariana Grande as host and the legendary Cher as musical guest. That night served as an emotional send‑off for the comedian, who became SNL’s first Chinese American cast member and one of its first openly gay stars.

Looking back on his career, Yang expressed gratitude for the platform SNL provided and for the opportunity to shape his departure in a way that felt meaningful to him.