In a win for representation and also just... good jokes, Saturday Night Live has promoted staff writer Bowen Yang to its list of onscreen cast members. Yang, the first Asian SNL cast member ever and one of very few queer performers to make it big on the show, is joined by two newbie players: Chloe Fineman and Shane Gillis. Last week we learned that Leslie Jones sadly won't be returning for the show's 45th season.
Yang made his sketch debut during season 44, when he appeared as a send up of Kim Jong-un. Sandra Oh, who was hosting that night, played Jong-un's translator. (A few months previously, Awkwafina had become the first Asian woman to host the show in 18 years.)
Yang, Fineman, and Gillis will join a list of well-known faves: Aidy Bryant, Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Kyle Mooney, Mikey Day, Alex Moffat, Chris Redd, and Cecily Strong. Colin Jost and Michael Che will sadly also be returning.
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Not to brag, but we predicted Yang's promotion months and months ago. Congrats!
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