Amid SNL Cast Changes, Bowen Yang Reveals The Conversations He’s Had With Lorne Michaels About His Future On The Show

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Following an extraordinary 50th anniversary run of “Saturday Night Live,” Lorne Michaels hinted at significant cast changes as Season 51 approached, and true to his word, changes were afoot. First, Devon Walker departed, followed swiftly by first-year featured player Emil Wakim. Later, Michael Longfellow was also let go, and Heidi Gardner, who had been with the program for eight seasons on NBC, was also released. However, Bowen Yang has confirmed his continued involvement, and he’s sharing insights about his ongoing discussions with Michaels regarding his future on the show.

Recently, Yang had a conversation with People Magazine at the Emmys Toast to One House event. During this discussion, the comedian shared his thoughts on returning for Season 51 of SNL, even though friends like Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim were departing. While Nwodim felt it was her time to bid farewell, Yang believed he still had more to contribute, and Lorne Michaels concurred that there was a lot more for him ahead.

It’s been my habit to constantly ask myself if there’s more work to be done, and it seems like there is. Even Lorne Michaels, the creator, acknowledged this, saying “You have more to do.” This means a lot to me because I shared with him that I felt the audience might be tired of me. But he reassured me, saying “That’s not true. There’s more for you to do. I need you.” I feel it’s my duty to honor his words, as he has significantly impacted my life and the show. The people there are simply remarkable, and I cherish each of them deeply. I truly enjoy working with them.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I wholeheartedly concur that Bowen Yang deserves more screen time. His captivating performances on Weekend Update, such as the Titanic Iceberg, Jafar, and Moo Deng, left audiences in awe. He’s also demonstrated his versatility as a skilled player in sketches. The success of his Las Culturistas podcast further solidifies his popularity among fans. Personally, I can’t wait to see more of him during Saturday Night Live Season 51 and hope he gets ample opportunities to shine. Regarding his career trajectory, Yang himself shared:

(Provided quote from Yang here)

I chose to move on from that situation, and it turned out to be beneficial for me. I enjoy not having a pre-set plan or guide. If there’s any environment that encourages such spontaneity, it’s Saturday Night Live (SNL), as the show changes every week. At times, you’re prepared for challenges; at others, you might still appear even if unprepared, and this unpredictability contributes to creating intriguing outcomes.

In addition to Yang and other well-liked actors coming back, there’s a thrilling lineup of new SNL cast members on board as well, including some fresh faces. Ben Marshall from Please Do Not Destroy is among them, along with rookies like Kam Patterson and Tommy Brennan. The mix looks promising, although it may feel unusual to witness Season 51 without a few veterans who have significantly contributed to the show for many years.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Peacock TV offers a fantastic streaming experience starting at just $7.99 per month! Or, if you prefer an annual subscription, it’s $79.99. With this affordable plan, you get access to all the hilarious content from Saturday Night Live and more!

For those seeking a more premium experience, Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus are also available, offering ad-free streaming and the convenience of downloading titles for offline viewing whenever you want. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of Peacock today!

Even though it’s hard to say goodbye to certain Saturday Night Live stars, Bowen Yang’s upcoming Season 51 comments have me feeling optimistic! Lorne Michaels has a knack for knowing when a cast member has reached their limit or has untapped potential. Bowen, an actor in Wicked, is certainly not one to hold back, and the same can be said about returning cast members like Colin Jost, James Austin Johnson, and Marcello Hernández. While some of the cast changes might seem unexpected, I’ve learned never to doubt Michaels when it comes to having a strategy in place.

Fans of Bowen Yang and SNL’s cast can catch them in Season 51, premiering on NBC at 11:30 PM EST on October 4, as part of the 2025 TV lineup. If you can’t wait that long, you can stream previous episodes of this iconic sketch show by subscribing to Peacock.

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2025-09-13 19:32