Bowen Yang Admits He Was Worried About What It Would Be Like To Go Back To SNL After ‘This Colbert S–t’

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As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve been rocked by the surprising cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” This move sent shockwaves across the internet and ignited an intense discussion. The ripples from this decision are being felt not just in the realm of late-night talk shows, but also in the broader world of variety programs such as “Saturday Night Live.”

Although no concrete changes have been announced regarding these beloved series yet, SNL cast member Bowen Yang recently shared his candid thoughts on whether “this Colbert situation” could influence the NBC show and if they should be concerned.

On his podcast, “WTF with Marc Maron,” Marc Maron inquired about Yang’s situation at Saturday Night Live. To this, the comedian replied that everything was running smoothly there.

I think so. I mean, I hope we’re on the air.

The host then asked why they wouldn’t be, and Yang replied with:

Afterward, Maron pointed out that the show airs on NBC. In response, Yang agreed with him. Implicitly referring to the recent merger between Paramount and Skydance, Yang suggested such business partnerships could also occur at other broadcasting networks. However, he stated…

Yeah, you’re right. There’s no – but if they decide to merge out of nowhere, I don’t know.

In the rapidly changing media environment, dominated by social media and short clips, it was noted that Saturday Night Live doesn’t necessarily need to alter its format. Conversely, late-night talk shows have been compelled to adjust and adapt more significantly.

The political angle played a significant role in the discussion. Following Stephen Colbert’s program being axed, there has been much debate as to whether this move was politically driven. As Donald Trump stated on Truth Social, he enjoyed the fact that The Late Show got canceled, and he commented, “I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next.” Yet, amid these comments and Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance, it has been emphasized that Colbert’s cancellation was due to financial reasons.

In reference to that topic, Yang and Maron delved into the political satire depicted on Saturday Night Live and their concerns (or lack thereof) regarding it. Specifically, a long-standing cast member touched upon James Austin Johnson, who has been portraying Trump on the show for quite some time, expressing his thoughts on the matter.

I had dinner with the talented author Will Stephen, and we discussed what the atmosphere might be like upon our return. Essentially, we pondered, ‘What tone will the conversation take when we get back?’ Our conversation frequently revolved around James Austin Johnson. We mused, ‘Is he at all concerned about anything?’ All it takes is for Trump to make a comment about him for a potential concern to arise.

The idea that politics influences what programs could potentially be broadcast on TV schedules in 2025 has been emphasized more significantly after the cancellation of The Late Show. The actor from Wicked pointed out that he doesn’t aim to instill fear, but rather is contemplating how a show like Saturday Night Live might be affected by ongoing political discussions. He elaborated:

“I’m not trying to scare people; I’m merely considering the potential impact of political discourse on shows such as Saturday Night Live.

Essentially, we were discussing him. Now, let me clarify that this is not meant to cause any concern. Instead, I’m simply curious to find out how the upcoming show will turn out.

To catch Saturday Night Live, it airs live on NBC or you can watch it with a Peacock subscription. It’s worth mentioning that Peacock, the streaming service, not only offers live access to SNL but also provides a vast library of other shows and movies at an affordable price starting from $7.99 per month. Check out the offer here!

When Colbert’s show was taken off air, Bowen Yang expressed his feelings to iHeart Radio, stating it as “such a sorrowful event.” He further described it as “a truly dismal day,” and went on to express concern about the consolidation of networks, saying it paints a very grim picture for the future of Saturday Night Live.

Currently, it’s uncertain whether these developments will affect Saturday Night Live or not. But rest assured, as soon as SNL comes back for its 51st season, we’ll make sure to provide you with updates on any changes and their implications in the ongoing discussion about the future of late-night TV.

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2025-08-13 22:14