Why "SNL" Fans Think Bowen Yang Is Quitting Amid Recent Controversies
Sarah Oconnell
Updated on February 22, 2026
During his five years as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, Bowen Yang has played a range of fan-favorite characters, including an overly enthusiastic SoulCycle instructor, disgraced former congressperson George Santos, and even the iceberg that sunk the Titanic. But the popular cast member now has viewers wondering if he's leaving the show. SNL has made some controversial moves in recent weeks, and Yang has dropped hints that he's not been happy with some of them. So while he hasn't made any comment about his future with SNL, fans believe the comedian's recent behavior online is a clue that he's about to quit.
RELATED: Maya Rudolph Says This SNL Host Made the Cast Want to Leave.
At the end of the Jan. 28 episode hosted by Dakota Johnson, comedian Dave Chappelle appeared on stage during the good nights, even though he wasn't featured in any sketches. Fans noted that Yang seemed to be standing as far away as possible from the standup and looked annoyed while speaking to castmate Sarah Sherman, who glanced over at Chappelle. The Half Baked star has faced significant criticism for his offensive jokes about the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender people.
The most recent episode aired on Feb. 3 and was hosted by The Bear star Ayo Edebiri. Fans took to social media to complain when Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley made a cameo appearance during a sketch, making a joke about her earlier refusal to name slavery as a cause of the Civil War.
During the same episode, it was announced that the host for the next new episode, airing Feb. 24, would be comedian Shane Gillis. This came as a shock to many audience members, since Gillis had been hired as a cast member the same year as Yang but was fired a few days later for past homophobic and racist jokes, particularly about Asian people. As Yang is Chinese-American and gay, many fans mentioned him in their negative reactions to the news.
"Bowen Yang is one of the biggest breakout stars of @nbcsnl in YEARS So Lorne Michaels has transphobe Dave Chappelle on stage last week, homophobe Nikki Haley on tonight, & next week Shane Gillis-who got fired from SNL for MAKING RACIST ASIAN JOKES-as host. This is not [expletive] ok," wrote an X user. Along with an image showing Gillis' name as the next host, someone else posted, "Bowen Yang deserves so much better than all the weird [expletive] they've made him put up with." Yang has not commented on Gillis hosting, though as an X user noted, he does follow the comedian on Instagram.
Thank you, Dakota Johnson, @jtimberlake, @jimmyfallon, @BarbaraCorcoran, @mcuban, and @TobeNwigwe! Goodnight!
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) January 28, 2024
As for Yang's reaction to the politician's appearance, on Feb. 5, he posted an Instagram of a bouquet of flowers that had been gifted to Haley by series creator Lorne Michaels with a card reading, "Amb. Haley—Welcome to Studio 8H! From Lorne + Everyone at SNL." The Fire Island star wrote in the caption, "everyone :)." The Instagram post has since been deleted.
The same day, a fan noted on X (formerly Twitter) that Yang had deleted all but nine of his Instagram posts, including everything referencing the show.
"Hmm…Bowen Yang appears to have deleted almost everything off his Instagram, save for 9 posts which are non-SNL related," the X user wrote. "This may not be a good sign."
In response, another SNL viewer wrote, "I don't think he'd leave mid-season, but I could see him going at the end of the season. He's one of about 6 cast members I think need to leave at the end of the season but I certainly never wanted it to be for this reason." Seasons of Saturday Night Live usually conclude in May.
Another X user wrote of Yang, "Honestly wouldn't blame him for whatever decision he makes considering snls recent choices I'm sure it's deeply uncomfortable for him."
Alongside a screenshot of Yang and Chappelle on stage at the end of the Jan. 28 episode, someone wrote, "seriously bowen yang needs to be set free from this. he should be doin 3 romcoms and 1 hulu series a year and focusing on his podcast, respectfully." Yang co-hosts the podcast Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers.
Best Life has reached out to representative for Yang for comment.
Lia Beck Lia Beck is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Best Life, she has written for Refinery29, Bustle, Hello Giggles, InStyle, and more.Read moreFiled UnderCelebrities • Entertainment • NewsRead This NextWhy Catherine O'Hara Quit "SNL"
She was cast on the late-night sketch show in 1980.January 30, 2024“SNL” Under Fire for Britney Spears Sketch
Fans are accusing the show of stealing a joke from social media.November 13, 2023Mayim Bialik “Felt Ashamed” Over “SNL” Sketch
She was 18 and starring on <em>Blossom</em> when the episode aired. October 19, 2023Why Mike Myers Apologized to Chelsea Clinton
The First Daughter was 12 years old when she was made fun of in a <em>Wayne's World</em> sketch.October 12, 2023Sharon Stone's "SNL" Monologue Was Pulled
The version that's in reruns and on streaming is from the dress rehearsal.May 18, 202318 "SNL" Stars Who Left After One Season
Some quit, some were fired, and some still aren't sure exactly what happened.March 8, 2023Macaulay Culkin on Shocking "SNL" Appearance
It's unheard of for anyone to host the sketch series without assistance.February 26, 2023Julia Louis-Dreyfus Says Dad Body Shamed Her
"He didn’t handle it properly, and he wasn’t gentle," she shared in a new interview.January 18, 2023Why Cecily Strong Kept Her "SNL" Exit a Big Secret
The beloved 'Saturday Night Live' cast member made an abrupt exit over the weekend.December 21, 2022Ex-Child Star Says Bill Murray Made Him Cry
Actor Seth Green claims the star actually stuffed him into a trash can. October 14, 2022
