Bowen Yang's SNL Surprise: Why He Missed the Live Show & How He Still Shined

Our favorite Saturday Night Live star, Bowen Yang, was noticeably missing from the live broadcast on October 18, 2025, but don't fret – he had a super important (and well-deserved!) reason for his absence, and he still managed to pop up in a big way!

TL;DR

• Bowen Yang missed the live October 18, 2025, Saturday Night Live episode hosted by Sabrina Carpenter.
• He was in Los Angeles to accept the prestigious Vantage Award at the Academy Museum Gala, honoring his impactful work in film and television.
• Despite missing the live show, Yang still contributed significantly by writing for the episode and starring in a hilarious pre-taped sketch with Sabrina Carpenter.

Why Our Beloved SNL Performer Wasn't Live in Studio 8H This Week

If you tuned into Saturday Night Live on October 18, 2025, hoping to catch Bowen Yang's latest antics, you might have been a little surprised not to see him in the usual live sketches. But don't worry, it wasn't a sudden departure or anything dramatic. Our guy was actually across the country in sunny Los Angeles for a seriously major event: the Academy Museum Gala!

Yang was there to accept the highly regarded Vantage Award. This isn't just any trophy; it's given to an "emerging artist who challenges traditional narratives in film and television." It celebrates trailblazers who bring "laughter, heart, and representation to the screen." How cool is that? This recognition speaks volumes about the impact Bowen has had not just on SNL, but on the wider entertainment landscape. He's been shaking things up and making us laugh since he joined the show as a writer in 2019, before becoming a main cast member later that year.

The Academy Museum Gala is a big deal, and Yang was in excellent company. Other legendary figures honored that night included music icon Bruce Springsteen (receiving the Legacy Award) and acclaimed actress Penélope Cruz (taking home the Icon Award), along with filmmaker Walter Salles. So, while we definitely missed his live presence, you can't argue with him being recognized alongside such industry titans!

Bowen Yang's Clever Ways to Still Be Part of Sabrina Carpenter's Episode

Even though Bowen couldn't be in New York live for Sabrina Carpenter's hosting debut, he definitely wasn't a no-show for the episode itself. In true SNL fashion, they found some creative ways to include him!

First off, he gave us all a heads-up on his Instagram Stories, posting a photo of a palm tree (a nod to his L.A. location) with the caption, "missing the show tonight but it will be sooooo fun sab is amazing." That's our Bowen – always supportive and keeping us in the loop!

"Missing the show tonight but it will be sooooo fun sab is amazing."

— Bowen Yang, via Instagram Stories

But that's not all! Reports from sources close to the show confirmed that Yang had been hard at work all week, contributing to the writing of the episode. So, his comedic brain was definitely in the building, even if his physical self wasn't.

And the best part? He appeared in a hilarious pre-taped sketch with Sabrina Carpenter called "Middle School Lovin'" (also referred to as "Grind Song"). In this pop music video parody, Yang and Carpenter played awkward middle schoolers at a school dance, trying to "break the rules" and "grind" on each other. It was pure gold, showcasing their fantastic chemistry and bringing back some serious cringe-worthy memories for anyone who survived middle school dances. Bowen's line, "I'm feelin' grown, twelve sprays of my dad's cologne," was an instant classic!

He even got a shout-out during Sabrina Carpenter's monologue! Carpenter, who addressed the viral controversy around her album cover for "Man's Best Friend," joked that the man holding her hair in the photo was actually Yang, showing a zoomed-out, Photoshopped version of the cover. It was a lighthearted moment that made sure fans knew he was still very much a part of the SNL family.

Sabrina Carpenter's Epic Double-Duty Performance as Host and Musical Guest

With Bowen Yang off collecting his well-deserved award, Sabrina Carpenter stepped up to the plate, pulling double duty as both host and musical guest for the first time. And boy, did she dazzle! Despite a slight delay to the broadcast due to college football, Carpenter commanded the stage, proving her chops as a versatile performer.

Her night kicked off right away in the "Domingo Cold Open," bringing back Marcello Hernández's fan-favorite character alongside Chloe Fineman's Kelsey and Carpenter herself as chaotic childhood bestie Sophie. Her monologue then perfectly blended humor with addressing her album cover controversy, quipping, "I'm not just horny. I'm also turned-on."

Throughout the night, Sabrina showcased her acting range, playing a concussed "girl boss," a woman terrified of making plans, and even a singing washing machine alongside new cast member Veronika Slowikowska's jazzy dryer. She also brilliantly stole the "Boys Podcast" sketch as a tween interviewing none other than President Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson).

And let's not forget the music! Carpenter delivered two strong performances of tracks from her "Man's Best Friend" album: "Manchild" and "Nobody's Son." It was a huge night for her, cementing her status as a true multi-hyphenate talent.

Bowen Yang's Enduring Journey and Future on Saturday Night Live

Bowen Yang's brief absence from the live stage on October 18, 2025, only highlights how indispensable he's become to the Saturday Night Live cast. Since joining as a writer in 2019 and then as a cast member, he's earned four Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, which is a testament to his unique comedic voice and powerful presence.

Outside of SNL, Yang is also making waves on the big screen, with roles like Pfannee in the highly anticipated "Wicked" movie. Fans are already looking forward to seeing him in "Wicked: For Good," the sequel hitting theaters later this year.

His decision to stay on for Season 51 came after a heart-to-heart with the show's creator, Lorne Michaels. Yang openly shared that he wondered if audiences might be "getting sick of me." But Michaels was quick to reassure him, saying, "That's not true. There's more for you to do. I need you." That kind of endorsement from a legend like Lorne clearly meant a lot to Bowen, who expressed deep gratitude for how the show has changed his life.

It's also worth noting that Season 51 saw some significant cast shake-ups, with Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, Heidi Gardner, and Ego Nwodim departing, and new talent like Ben Marshall joining. Amidst these changes, Yang's commitment and passion for SNL remain strong. He's approaching this season with a refreshing "no game plan" mentality, believing that letting go of a strict roadmap allows for "interesting things to happen." We're definitely here for it!

What Else to Expect from Saturday Night Live Season 51

The October 18, 2025, episode with Sabrina Carpenter and the pre-taped Bowen Yang appearance was just the third installment of what's shaping up to be an exciting Season 51. The season kicked off strong with Bad Bunny pulling double duty as host and musical guest, followed by Amy Poehler hosting with music from Role Model.

Looking ahead, Saturday Night Live has an impressive lineup to keep us entertained throughout November. Miles Teller is set to host for his second time on November 1, with Brandi Carlile as the musical guest. Comedian Nikki Glaser will make her hosting debut on November 8, joined by musical guest Sombr. And on November 15, Glen Powell will also make his first appearance as host, accompanied by Olivia Dean. The star power keeps coming, and we can't wait to see what hilarious sketches and memorable musical moments these upcoming episodes will bring!

You can catch Saturday Night Live live every Saturday at 11:30 PM ET/10:30 PM CT on NBC, and stream new episodes the next day on Peacock.

FAQ: Your Quick Questions About Bowen Yang and SNL Answered When did Bowen Yang miss the live Saturday Night Live episode? Bowen Yang missed the live Saturday Night Live episode on October 18, 2025. Why was Bowen Yang not on SNL live? He was in Los Angeles to accept the Vantage Award at the Academy Museum Gala, which honors emerging artists who challenge traditional narratives in film and television. Did Bowen Yang appear in the October 18, 2025 SNL episode at all? Yes! He helped write for the episode and starred in a pre-taped sketch called "Middle School Lovin'" (also known as "Grind Song") with host Sabrina Carpenter. Where can I watch the latest episodes of Saturday Night Live? You can watch Saturday Night Live live on NBC on Saturdays at 11:30 PM ET/10:30 PM CT, and stream new episodes the next day on Peacock. Sources

• Deadline article by Armando Tinoco (October 18, 2025)
• NBC Insider article by Samantha Vincenty (October 19, 2025)
• Page Six article (October 18, 2025)
• TVLine article by Dave Nemetz (October 18, 2025)
• ScreenRant article by Jennifer Chu (October 19, 2025)
• Bleeding Cool article by Ray Flook (October 18, 2025)
• PopCulture.com article (October 18, 2025)
• TV Insider article by Stephany Montero (October 18, 2025)
• Just Jared article by JJ Staff (October 18, 2025)