Bowen Yang Takes Subtle Digs at 'Saturday Night Live' Decisions
Bowen Yang has been subtly criticizing recent decisions on 'Saturday Night Live,' including a surprise cameo by Nikki Haley.
Bowen Yang's Instagram Post
In a now-deleted Instagram post, Bowen Yang shared a photo of a flower arrangement and a note from executive producer Lorne Michaels that was left for Nikki Haley. The note read, 'Welcome to Studio 8H! From Lorne + everyone at SNL.' Yang captioned the post with 'everyone :),' and disabled comments.
This post seemingly called out the show and its decision to include Haley in the cold open segment of the latest episode. Hosted by Ayo Edebiri, Haley was confronted on air about the cause of the U.S. Civil War.
During the opening segment of the show, Edebiri asked Haley, 'I was just curious, what would you say was the main cause of the Civil War, and do you think it starts with an s and ends with a –lavery?' Haley responded, 'Yep, I probably should've said that the first time.'
Yang's Dissociation from the Cast
The weekend before Haley's cameo, Bowen Yang appeared to distance himself from the rest of the 'Saturday Night Live' cast during the good night segment of the show. While Dave Chappelle made an appearance on stage, despite not participating on-screen throughout the night, Yang seemed separate from the rest of the cast.
Chappelle has faced criticism from the LGBTQ+ community for his jokes that many consider transphobic. This moment, along with other recent decisions made by 'Saturday Night Live,' likely influenced Yang's Instagram post and his subtle commentary on the show.
It's unclear whether Yang's dissatisfaction with the show will lead to any major actions, such as quitting or requesting to be fired, but his subtle digs on social media have certainly caught the attention of fans and viewers.
Controversial Decisions on 'Saturday Night Live'
The recent controversies surrounding 'Saturday Night Live' include the hiring and subsequent firing of stand-up comedian Shane Gillis, who was let go after resurfaced clips of him using anti-Asian slurs. This decision drew criticism and raised questions about the show's vetting process for new cast members.
'Saturday Night Live' has also faced backlash for its choice to include Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential hopeful, in a cold open segment. While the show often features politicians and public figures, this particular cameo raised eyebrows due to the sensitive topic of the U.S. Civil War and Haley's response to the question on air.
These controversies, along with Bowen Yang's subtle criticism, highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the decisions made by 'Saturday Night Live' and the impact they have on the show's reputation and viewership.
