Actor and comedian Bowen Yang has shared a heartfelt reflection on his time at Saturday Night Live, revealing that a recent creative project unexpectedly made him miss the long-running sketch show.
Yang, who left SNL in December after seven seasons, said filming the Las Culturistas Culture Awards with podcast co-host Matt Rogers brought back strong memories of the NBC comedy institution.
Speaking to Variety, he described the experience as reminiscent of the “dream factory” atmosphere of SNL, but on a smaller scale. The comparison, he said, sparked a wave of nostalgia and reflection about his time on the show.
Yang admitted the experience opened up deeper thoughts about the role of comedy in today’s entertainment landscape. He suggested that comedy may be undervalued, even though audiences rely on it as a way to process real-world challenges.
He also noted that revisiting SNL as a viewer rather than a performer has been a surreal experience. Despite moving on, Yang said he now watches the show as a fan and finds it comforting.
“It’s how I grew to love it,” he shared, emphasizing that the program still holds a unique place in his life and career.
Saturday Night Live recently concluded its 51st season, with no official premiere date yet announced for the next installment.