Bowen Yang is speaking out about some recent comments made by comedian Michelle Best.
Best accused Yang of getting Shane Gillis fired from Saturday Night Live (SNL) back in 2019. Gillis lost his position after using offensive language on a podcast. Best claimed that Yang was the reason Gillis was removed, but she also praised Yang’s character, calling him “kind” and “smart.” She commented on a video from SNL where she seems to have appeared as a background actor, saying Yang deserves respect for being a “bigger man” despite the controversy.
Yang quickly clarified his role in the situation, responding to Best, “Didn’t do any of this but I wrote the sketch you were a background actor in,” which he punctuated with a smiley face emoji.
Yang has been a part of SNL since 2018, starting as a writer before joining the cast. On the other hand, Gillis returned to host an episode of the show last year and is set to host again soon, with singer Tate McRae as the musical guest.
In an interview, SNL creator Lorne Michaels expressed his frustration about Gillis’ firing, saying it was a “stupid” situation that blew out of proportion. He noted that although he didn’t agree with the firing decision, he understood why NBC took that stance.
This exchange highlights the ongoing debates in comedy and television about accountability and the consequences of inappropriate remarks. As both Yang and Gillis continue their careers in comedy, their paths remind us of the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment.
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Source linkShane Gillis, Bowen Yang, background actor, sketch comedy show, Lorne Michaels, Saturday Night Live, Hollywood Reporter, NBC
