SNL’s Bowen Yang reveals what Lorne Michaels privately said about his future on show amid cast bloodbath
Bowen Yang will return to Saturday Night Live amid a mass exodus from cast members.
And the 34-year-old actor received words of encouragement from SNL creator Lorne Michaels, who privately told him, ‘You have more to do.’
In a conversation with People, he shared that he previously felt unsure about his position on the long-running late night comedy show.
‘I’ve always gone by the instinct of, do I have more to do? And I feel like I do,’ he told the publication.
Bowen reiterated, ‘Even Lorne and I talked about it, and Lorne was like, “You have more to do.”‘
But before the words of wisdom, the comic said he worried fans had grown tired of seeing him appear on the show.
Bowen Yang will return to Saturday Night Live amid a mass exodus from cast members, and the 34-year-old actor shared the words of encouragement SNL creator Lorne Michaels gave him; pictured September 11
Amid his upcoming season 51 return, Bowen (pictured first row, third from left in 2022) said he felt unsure about his position on the long-running late night comedy show
He admitted, ‘I even confessed to him. I was like, “I feel the audience is maybe getting sick of me.” And he was like, “That’s not true. There’s more for you to do. I need you.”‘
The Bros actor initially joined SNL as a writer on season 44. Now, he says he aims to continue to ‘honor’ Lorne’s vision.
‘That man has changed my life, and I owe a lot of my life to that show,’ he humbly noted. ‘And I love working there, the people at best. I really love each of them so much.’
His comments come after Ego Nwodim became the latest comedian to announce she’s leaving the show.
Several others, including Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim will not be returning next season.
Bowen stated, ‘What I’ve always thought, what I think everybody knows, is that SNL is this boot camp, and that implies that there is a next phase you train for something else.
‘It’s always a transitional place, and I think it is always a launching pad.’
The star noted, ‘Even for people who stay on the show, like Kenan [Thompson], let’s say, he has still used that show to help expand his possibilities. I think that’s going to be true for all of the people who aren’t coming back. I’m so excited to see what they do. I’m excited for the new cast.’
Bowen’s comments come after Ego Nwodim became the latest comedian to announce she’s leaving the show
‘The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight,’ Ego, 37, wrote online this week
Heidi Gardner is also departing the series after an eight-season run; pictured in February
Ego, 37, wrote on social media this week, ‘The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight.
‘But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL. I am immensely grateful to Lorne for the opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support and friendship.’
She continued in her Instagram Stories post, ‘Week after week on that stage taught me more than I could have ever imagined, and I will carry those memories (and that laughter) with me always.’
The actress then pointed a joke toward her loved ones: ‘Now invite me to your weddings, please!’
Bowen addressed the abrupt departures on Tuesday’s episode of his podcast Las Culturistas, which he hosts with Matt Rogers.
He said about co-star Heidi, ‘You are one of the greats. You will go down in history,’ and praised her for being a rare asset to the show — someone who could write a sketch without a co-writer.