Bowen Yang, a prominent cast member of Saturday Night Live, will not be part of this evening’s taping of the beloved sketch show, as he confirmed on his Instagram Story. In his message, he expressed his excitement for the episode, praising Grammy-winning artist Sabrina Carpenter, who is set to host and perform.
Yang’s absence is intentional and linked to his recognition at the Academy Museum Gala, where he will be honored with the Vantage Award. The award celebrates individuals who bring humor, heart, and representation to the screen, highlighting Yang’s significant contributions to comedy and media. Other notable honorees at the gala include Penélope Cruz, Bruce Springsteen, and Walter Salles.
Adding humor to the occasion, Yang commented on a tribute image shared by the Academy Museum, jokingly writing, “academy museum announcing my death,” accompanied by a heart emoji.
Despite his absence from tonight’s show, fans can take comfort in knowing that Yang was busy earlier this week working on a pre-taped sketch for SNL, though details about the content of the sketch remain under wraps. As a consistent figure on Weekend Update, Yang is well-known for his impressions, including the controversial figure George Santos, who made headlines recently as he was released from prison following a commutation by former President Trump.
This season of SNL has already shown a variety of exciting guests, kicking off with Bad Bunny and featuring dynamic performers like Amy Poehler and now Sabrina Carpenter, who is making her debut as both host and musical guest tonight. Yang’s contributions to SNL and his accolades highlight the continued evolution and diversity of representation in entertainment.