Those hoping to see Bowen Yang back in character as disgraced politician George Santos on Saturday Night Live tonight may be out of luck, as the comedian has announced that he won’t be in the studio.
“Missing the show tonight but it will be sooooo fun sab is amazing,” Yang wrote on Instagram Stories alongside a photo of the top of a palm tree on Saturday afternoon, referencing Oct. 18 host and musical guest Sabrina Carpenter.
Although the Wicked star didn’t give any other details, a source close to the show confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that Yang’s absence tonight was pre-planned so that he could accept an honor from the Academy Museum during a gala taking place in Los Angeles this evening.
But all hope of seeing him on screen tonight is not lost: The source also confirmed that Yang had been at work at SNL the rest of this week writing and filming a pre-taped piece for the latest episode.
Will Heath/NBC via Getty
Many fans wondered if they would see Yang revive his impression of Santos this weekend after the former New York congressman was freed from prison on Friday night after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence. Santos was serving seven years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of committing wire fraud and identity theft.
Yang has portrayed Santos on SNL both in sketches and “Weekend Update,” leaning into the gay Republican politico’s penchant for exaggerating, if not fully embellishing, his life experiences. After the real Santos was ousted from the House of Representatives in a majority vote by his peers on Dec. 1, 2023, Yang performed a rendition of Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind” in character on the next night’s live episode.
Yang is set to receive the Academy Museum’s Vantage Award this evening. Penélope Cruz, Bruce Springsteen, and Walter Salles are also being honored at the ceremony.
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Tonight’s SNL episode marks Carpenter’s first time as host and second appearance as musical guest. The Grammy winner is the first to do double duty for season 51.
The “Manchild” singer was also part of the festivities for SNL50: The Anniversary Special back in February, when she sang a duet with Paul Simon and joined in a “Domingo” sketch with Marcello Hernandez after her hit song “Espresso” helped launch his now-recurring character.
Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock.
