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Lorne Michaels wished for Bowen Yang to keep performing on ‘SNL’ — however, here is why the star was willing to quit
Lorne Michaels Wanted Bowen Yang to Keep Working on SNL — But Bowen Was Already Done
“Saturday Night Live” actor Bowen Yang said goodbye to the audience last weekend — and the farewell was completely against Lorne Michaels’ desire.
“Everyone from Lorne down was trying to persuade Bowen to stay,” an SNL insider told Page Six. “But he just decided it, he was done. He was not happy, it was visible.”
Yang, 35, ended his seven-season run with a heartfelt, tearful sketch finale during an episode hosted by his close friend and co-star from Wicked Ariana Grande.
Page Six reported earlier in September that Yang had intended to quit at the outset of the season, but 81-year-old Michaels “threw a ton of money” at him to keep him around. A source later revealed that Yang eventually got a normal raise — but he had already made up his mind to leave.
Bowen Yang’s Exit Was Expected Internally — Even After More Money Was Offered
However, the money was not enough to keep him.
“Bowen was only on a contract until December, but he decided to stay at the time. Nobody thought he would leave [now],” an SNL source said this week.
According to the insider, there was no significant event that would have resulted in a dismissal of the actor two or three months ago. Rather, their personalities changed in a way that was never difficult to recognize over time.
“When a cast member is ready to leave, you can always tell,” the source said, implying that Yang had already come to terms with his decision long before his farewell performance.
Why Lorne Michaels Wanted Bowen Yang to Stay at SNL, But the Cast Member Was Done Anyway
Page Six contacted both Saturday Night Live and Bowen Yang’s representatives for a comment on the matter of his leaving.
“It is a demanding schedule. It is hard enough just from the sleep deprivation, without anything else,” a former cast member revealed to the outlet about the work on SNL.
According to an industry source, Yang was “overcommitted” to work outside the show as well.
He was not in the studio to perform this past Sunday when he was awarded the Vantage Award at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles in October, and this is not the first time he has taken a break to go film his role in the two Wicked films. Ariana Grande even told Vanity Fair that she personally called Lorne Michaels to ask that Yang be given the time off.
A Career Beyond SNL — and Why Bowen Yang Decided to Step Back
Saturday Night Live (SNL) isn’t the only thing Bowen Yang has been busy with. Besides co-hosting the very popular podcast Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers, he is also working on a variety of TV and film projects.
According to Deadline, Yang and Rogers will not only write but also star in the untitled comedy for Searchlight. Earlier, they starred together in the 2022 comedy Fire Island, which revolves around a group of best friends on a vacation.
“That was a lot of stuff to manage at the same time,” said an SNL insider referring to Yang’s workload.
Where Page Six is reporting that Yang was also very saddened by the recent cuts in the cast, especially the departure of Heidi Gardner in August after eight seasons, together with Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow. Ego Nwodim also left before the season premiere.
Bowen Yang’s Emotional Final Sketch Almost Got Cut
There was even some backstage talk that the final sketch of Bowen Yang might not be aired.
Yang was a Delta flight lounge crew member on his last day of work in the sketch – a clear figurative reflection of Saturday Night Live Yuk’s own departure. The script was said to be in jeopardy of being scrapped very late into the night according to the insiders. However, it went on air as the last sketch of the show.
The line also felt like saying farewell to Saturday Night Live:
“I just feel so lucky that I ever got to work here and I just wanted to enjoy it a little bit longer, especially the people.”
