Bowen Yang exits 'Saturday Night Live' after 7 seasons
Bowen Yang has said goodbye to Studio 8H.
Yang performed in his final "Saturday Night Live" episode on Saturday night in an episode hosted by his "Wicked" co-star, Ariana Grande.
In his final episode, Yang played a Delta Lounge employee working his "last shift."
"I'm gonna miss everything about this place," he said in the sketch. "The way it smells. The celebrities that would come through."
Ariana Grande then joined the skit, calling Yang and asking him lovingly to "come home."
Grande then joined Yang in a soulful duet of "Please Come Home for Christmas" by the Eagles.
"I just feel so lucky that I ever got to work here," said an emotional Yang. "I've loved every single person who works here."
Finally, Cher joined Grande and Yang on stage to send off the actor, finishing the tune.
Yang confirmed the news of his leaving on Instagram on Saturday, sharing a carousel of photos from his time at "Saturday Night Live" along with a reflective caption.
"i loved working at SNL, and most of all i loved the people. i was there at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile, but working at 30 rock taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile."
"I'm grateful for every minute of my time there," Yang wrote, adding that he learned "that comedy is mostly logistics and that it will usually fail until it doesn't." He went on to thank fellow writers, cast members, crew members and longtime executive producer Lorne Michaels, calling his time on the show something he "can't believe [he] was ever included in."
The post came one day after Deadline reported that Yang would be leaving the late-night sketch comedy series.
The comedian is leaving "Saturday Night Live" after starring as a cast member on the late-night sketch comedy series for seven seasons, according to Deadline.
The entertainment news outlet reported Friday that Yang's final appearance on the show will take place on the Dec. 20 episode, which will be hosted by his friend and "Wicked" co-star Ariana Grande. Cher will serve as the musical guest.
Representatives for "SNL" did not initially respond to ABC Audio's request for comment.
"Good Morning America" has also reached out to NBC and representatives for Yang.
Yang joined "SNL" as a writer ahead of season 44 in 2018 before joining the cast in season 45. He became the first featured player to be nominated for an Emmy in the outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series category. Yang was then promoted to repertory status in season 47.
In total, Yang has been nominated for four acting Emmys and one writing Emmy for his work on "Saturday Night Live."
This midseason departure comes after many cast members exited the series after the landmark season 50 of the show.
Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow and Emil Wakim all left the cast ahead of the current season 51.
New cast members include Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska. Please Don't Destroy member Ben Marshall also joined the show's cast, splitting up the sketch comedy trio. Martin Herlihy remains on the "SNL" writing staff, while John Higgins departed the show.
In September, Yang talked about his decision to stay for season 51 in an interview with People.
“I've always gone by the instinct of, do I have more to do? And I feel like I do,” Yang said. "Even [creator] Lorne [Michaels] and I talked about it, and Lorne was like, ‘You have more to do,’ and that means a lot, because 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.’”
“I have to honor that,” he added. “That man has changed my life, and I owe a lot of my life to that show. And I love working there, the people are the best. I really love each of them so much.”
