Bowen Yang Says He Almost Left ‘SNL’ Earlier — and Is ‘So Glad’ He Came Back Before Leaving for Good

Comedian Bowen Yang is reflecting on his emotional departure from Saturday Night Live, revealing that he nearly exited the show earlier but ultimately feels grateful he stayed for one final season. Yang addressed his decision on the January 7 episode of his podcast Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, titled “Exit Interview (The Cathartic Episode),” offering candid insight into what led to the end of his seven-season run.

A Thoughtful Goodbye After Seven Seasons

Yang officially signed off from SNL on the show’s December 20 broadcast. His final appearance featured an emotional sketch alongside Ariana Grande and Cher, marking a memorable farewell for one of the show’s most distinctive voices in recent years.

“I stayed on exactly as long as I wanted to,” Yang said on the podcast, explaining that seven seasons felt like the right moment to step away. “It’s time. You do your run, and then you scoot.”

Nearly Leaving — and Choosing to Return

Yang revealed that he had doubts about returning for his final season. During the summer before his last year, he was unsure whether he would continue. In hindsight, he said the decision to come back was deeply meaningful.

“I was maybe unsure about going back in the summer, and I’m so glad I did,” he said, adding that the experience gave him the closure he didn’t realize he needed.

Navigating a Changing Industry

The comedian also reflected on how the entertainment industry has shifted in recent years. He noted that the COVID era and the current media landscape have made long-term television careers more complicated and unpredictable.

“People have completely valid reasons for staying longer, or in a lot of cases, not having the privilege of staying on as long as they’d like,” Yang said. He described his own exit as a “beautiful thing,” emphasizing that leaving on his own terms was something he does not take lightly.

A Historic Run on ‘SNL’

Yang joined SNL in 2019, becoming the show’s first Chinese American cast member and one of its first openly gay stars. Over seven seasons, he earned five Emmy nominations and built a reputation for bold characters, sharp political satire and pop culture parodies. His final sketch saw him playing a Delta One Lounge employee working his last shift — a role that mirrored his own farewell. Yang admitted he was uncertain whether the sketch would even make it to air, underscoring the unpredictability that defines life on SNL.

“Nothing is guaranteed,” he said. “That’s perfectly illustrative of what that job is, all the way through to the end.”

Gratitude Over Regret

Looking back, Yang said gratitude best captures how he feels now, even if the word feels overused. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity, the timing of his exit and the chance to leave with intention rather than uncertainty. As Yang moves on to new projects, his reflections suggest a chapter closed with clarity — and a performer ready for what comes next.