Saturday Night Live is set to return tonight with pop star Sabrina Carpenter pulling double duty as host and musical guest. But fans may notice something missing when the show kicks off from Studio 8H. One key member of the cast won’t be there, and his absence is sure to be felt.
Bowen Yang is sitting out this week’s episode, but for a very good reason. He’s being honored at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, where he’ll receive the prestigious Vantage Award for his contributions to film. The recognition comes after an incredible couple of years for Yang, whose performances in Wicked and Wicked: For Good have raised his profile in Hollywood outside of the late-night sketch world.
The Vantage Award celebrates artists whose work has expanded the scope of cinema. Last year, the honor went to Gladiator II star Paul Mescal, and previous winners include Michael B. Jordan and Steve McQueen. Yang’s honor signals just how far he's come. Known for his scene-stealing characters, Yang has been one of SNL’s most reliable performers since joining the cast in 2019. Whether playing over-the-top pop culture figures like the Iceberg That Sank the Titanic or tackling political impressions like Vice President J.D. Vance, he brings a spark that will be noticeably absent tonight.
Yang’s absence will likely shuffle the dynamics of tonight’s live broadcast. While Yang may have filmed a pretaped sketch for the show, other cast members may have to step up with Yang out of the lineup. Expect veterans like Mikey Day, Marcello Hernandez, and Andrew Dismukes to take on extra sketches. It could also be an opportunity for new additions like Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Ben Marshall to shine.
Fans eager to see how the next generation of talent handles the spotlight may get a preview tonight. Prior to season 51's premiere, Lorne Michaels promised a major cast shakeup. Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim all left the show. Gardner's and Nwodim's absence have been noticeable through the first two episodes of the season. Tonight, fans will get to see an alternate timeline in which Yang also walked away from Saturday Night Live. Thankfully, things will be back to normal after tonight, and we can enjoy Yang's performances for at least another season.
Saturday Night Live airs tonight at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and is also available to stream on Peacock.