Bowen Yang Exits SNL After 7 Seasons

An era concluded on Saturday Night Live as fan-favorite Bowen Yang made his abrupt exit after seven seasons. The news of his departure from the NBC sketch show broke just one day before his final episode aired on the 2025 schedule, leaving many fans surprised. Insiders suggest Yang's decision stemmed from a combination of factors, including the show's notoriously demanding schedule and his expanding personal projects.

Yang's commitments have grown significantly, encompassing his "Las Culturistas" podcast, co-writing and starring in an upcoming film, and appearing in the "Wicked" movies. These extensive projects, coupled with the "grueling schedule" of SNL, reportedly became "too much to do it all." This aligns with past statements from other SNL veterans who have detailed the intense physical and mental toll of the show.

Further complicating Yang's departure was the reported upset over the summer's exit of longtime castmate Heidi Gardner. Gardner, who had been with the show for eight seasons, was among several cast members whose contracts were not renewed, a move Yang publicly lamented. Despite these underlying issues, sources claim his exit was met with support from the entire SNL cast and crew.