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Bowen Yang poses for photographers upon arrival at the BFI Flare Opening Gala for the film The Wedding Banquet in London, March 19, 2025.

Bowen Yang poses for photographers upon arrival at the BFI Flare Opening Gala for the film The Wedding Banquet in London, March 19, 2025. Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP hide caption

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Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

Television

'SNL' castmember Bowen Yang shares a piece of 'cultural contraband' from his youth

Growing up with immigrant parents, first in Canada and then in the U.S., Yang was "obsessed" with pop culture and Saturday Night Live. Now he's up for an Emmy for his performances on the venerated sketch series.

'SNL' castmember Bowen Yang shares a piece of 'cultural contraband' from his youth

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Bowen Yang's Rules of Culture
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It's Been a Minute

Bowen Yang's Rules of Culture

Bowen Yang often plays delightfully weird characters on SNL. But recently he appeared as himself on the show to address the uptick of Asian American violence in the U.S. Sam revisits his conversation from last fall with the comedian, who discusses becoming the first Chinese American cast member on Saturday Night Live, what it was like to do the show during a pandemic, and why Adele Dazeem is the number one moment in the history of culture.

Bowen Yang's Rules of Culture

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Bowen Yang on 'SNL' and Diversity

Bowen Yang and the rest of the Saturday Night Live cast and crew return for the season premiere Oct. 3rd. Mary Ellen Mathews/NBC hide caption

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Mary Ellen Mathews/NBC

It's Been a Minute

Bowen Yang on 'SNL' and Diversity

Sam chats with comedian Bowen Yang about becoming the first Chinese American cast member on Saturday Night Live, what it was like to do the show during a pandemic, and why Adele Dazeem is the number one moment in the history of culture. Watch Sam's extended interview with Bowen here: https://youtu.be/1KMRAhxeDpA

Bowen Yang on 'SNL' and Diversity

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