> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theomnicosm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Bowen Yang is reportedly leaving ‘SNL’ after this weekend
- URL: https://www.theomnicosm.com/bowen-yang-is-reportedly-leaving-snl-after-this-weekend/
- Published: 2025-12-19T22:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-03T03:04:57.000Z
- Description: I guess an Ariana Grande-hosted episode is the perfect time for her ‘Wicked’ costar to leave.
- Author: Bill Kuchman
- Tags: The Cold Open • News, The Cold Open, SNL, Bowen Yang

[![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/the-cold-open-logo-square-3.png)](https://www.theomnicosm.com/deep-snl-thoughts-is-now-the-cold-open) 

****Deep SNL Thoughts** is now **The Cold Open**. New name. Same extensive **SNL* coverage.

[Read more ](https://www.theomnicosm.com/deep-snl-thoughts-is-now-the-cold-open) 

*SNL*’s Season 51 cast exodus is reportedly about to claim one more name: **Bowen Yang**.

[*LateNighter* reported on Friday](https://latenighter.com/news/snl-bowen-yang-leaving-saturday-night-live?ref=theomnicosm.com) that Yang, who joined *SNL* alongside **Chloe Fineman** and (for a brief moment) **Shane Gillis** before Season 45, is set to wrap up his *SNL* career with [this weekend’s **Ariana Grande**\-hosted episode](https://www.theomnicosm.com/a-bunch-of-us-are-gonna-go-throw-snowball-at-ben-marshall-and-then-go-look-at-the-tree/).

[![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2025/11/deep-snl-thoughts-logo-square.png)](#/portal/signup) 

Love reading ****Deep SNL Thoughts**? Become a subscriber to receive every edition in your inbox.

[Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) 

While we don’t often get midseason departures at *SNL*, there is some recent precedent for this exact move, with [**Cecily Strong** leaving after Season 49’s **Austin Butler**\-hosted Christmas episode](https://www.theomnicosm.com/deep-snl-thoughts-its-a-blue-christmas/).

“He has been there for seven years — time to move on,” a person familiar with Yang’s decision [told CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/19/entertainment/bowen-yang-is-leaving-saturday-night-live-midseason?ref=theomnicosm.com).

I thought Yang had his strongest episode of Season 51 last weekend, but I’m not surprised to learn that he’s pegged his departure to a hosting gig from Grande, his *Wicked* and *Wicked: For Good* costar. Yang joins **Heidi Gardner**, **Ego Nwodim**, **Michael Longfellow**, **Devon Walker** and **Emil Wakim** as the most recent people to leave or be, um, asked to leave *SNL*.

****Deep SNL Thoughts** is written and produced by ****Bill Kuchman**.   
Copyediting by ****Tim Kuchman**.  
  
💰 Like what you’re reading on ****Deep SNL Thoughts**? [Send ****a one-time tip to show your support** for the newsletter](https://www.theomnicosm.com/#/portal/support).  
  
➕ Already a ****Deep SNL Thoughts** subscriber? ****Please consider becoming a supporter** by [****upgrading your account**](https://www.theomnicosm.com/account/).  
  
🍪🍿 Wanna add ****Snackology** and ****Popculturology** to your subscription? ****Update your email preferences** [****on your account page**](https://www.theomnicosm.com/account/).  
  
You can also follow me on [****Bluesky**](https://bsky.app/profile/billkuchman.bsky.social?ref=theomnicosm.com) and [****Instagram**](https://www.instagram.com/popculturology/?ref=theomnicosm.com).

![The Omnicosm](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/size/w1000/2025/05/the-omnicosm-wordmark-new-1.png)

**Deep SNL Thoughts** is a publication of The Omnicosm.

  
***Issue No. 30***