Bowen Yang Talks Leaving 'SNL' & the Moment During His Last Week When He 'Immediately Broke Down'

Bowen Yang opened up about his last week appearing on Saturday Night Live.

The 35-year-old comedian became a fan-favorite on the popular late-night show. However, he wrapped up a years-long run with one final episode on December 20.

During a recent episode of his Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers, Bowen spilled the tea about his decision to leave the show. He even revealed the moment in his last week when he “immediately broke down.”

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Bowen spoke with Matt about his final skit on the show, which incorporated his Wicked costar Ariana Grande and Cher.

The skit gave him the opportunity to say goodbye in his way. However, he said that it also made him extremely emotional during a table read.

“I was sobbing at the read through in front of everyone… it’s like a metatextual thing,” he admitted, via The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s my last shift at the Delta lounge, but in the sketch I say, ‘I’ve loved everyone here. I’ve loved every single person who works here’ — I immediately broke down because…”

While Matt joked that Bowen “knew” the sentiment was a lie, he replied by saying he was “telling the truth.”

“I just looked out, and I thought, I’m so lucky that I ever got to work here, and I’m so lucky that I get to make this little statement that’s barely veiled, where I’m like, I love you all,” he gushed.

As for his departure, Bowen said that he appreciated having the opportunity to decide when his time was up.

“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,” he opined.

While he admitted to having some reservations “about going back in the summer,” the comedian added that he was ultimately “so glad [he] did.”

He also recalled something fellow SNL alum Amy Poehler told him when she hosted one of the first episodes of the show’s current season: “We’re all waiting for you on the other side.”

Matt also shed some light on Bowen‘s decision to leave.

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