As Bowen Yang prepares for his final show as a Saturday Night Live cast member, he bid farewell with a bittersweet statement.
Following the surprise announcement of his departure, the 5x Emmy nominee said he was “grateful for every minute” on the NBC sketch comedy show since joining in 2019, teasing the “dreamiest” send-off with his friend and this weekend’s host Ariana Grande.
“I loved working at SNL, and most of all I loved the people,” he started in a heartfelt statement on Saturday morning. “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.
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“I’m grateful for every minute of my time there. I learned about myself (bad with wigs). I learned about others (generous, vulnerable, hot). I learned that human error can be nothing but correct. I learned that comedy is mostly logistics and that it will usually fail until it doesn’t, which is the besssst.”
Yang extended his gratitude “to every single person who showed up there,” including friends, coworkers, audiences and hosts. “Thank you to every cast member for making me laugh and cry. … Thank you to Ari for sending me off in the dreamiest way I could imagine.”
“Thank you to Lorne [Michaels] for the job. For the standard.Aand for bringing everyone at work together. They all care deeply about people in the room, any room, enjoying themselves. I can’t believe i was ever included in that,” added Yang. “The show doesn’t go on because it’s ready, but shiiiiit, I hope I am.”
Joining the show as a writer with Season 44 in 2018, Yang was promoted to the cast the next year. In 2021, he became the first SNL featured player to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
For Yang’s final show at Studio 8H, his friend and Wicked: For Good co-star Grande is hosting, along with musical guest Cher.