Bowen Yang and Kenan Thompson Break Silence on Morgan Wallen’s Sudden ‘SNL’ Exit

Country Star’s Abrupt Departure Sparks Buzz

Morgan Wallen, the country singer known for his chart-topping hits and viral moments, made headlines again after walking off the ‘Saturday Night Live’ (SNL) stage unexpectedly on March 29, 2025. Instead of joining the cast during the traditional farewell segment, Wallen exited abruptly as the credits rolled—leaving both fans and media stunned.

Bowen Yang Downplays the Drama

During an appearance on “TODAY with Jenna & Friends” on April 7, Bowen Yang, a longtime “SNL” cast member, addressed the moment candidly.

“Honestly, nothing happened. We all just showed up to work the next day. You just move on,” Yang said, emphasizing that the moment didn’t cause a stir among the cast.

His comments suggest that while the moment went viral online, it didn’t leave a lasting impact behind the scenes.

Kenan Thompson Keeps It Light

Fellow “SNL” veteran Kenan Thompson took a humorous approach to the topic. When asked about Wallen’s exit by host Jenna Bush Hager, he joked:

“I’m not familiar.”

Still, Thompson echoed Yang’s sentiment that the show must go on.

“You’ve got to move on,” he said. “We should be talking more about Mikey Madison’s great performance.”

Spotlight on Mikey Madison’s Hosting Debut

Thompson highlighted that Mikey Madison, who recently won an Oscar for her role in ‘Anora’, made a successful debut as an “SNL” host the same night Wallen performed. Her standout performance was somewhat overshadowed by the buzz around Wallen’s departure.

A “Spike in the Norm,” Says Thompson

In an Entertainment Weekly interview, Thompson further explained that Wallen’s exit was unusual:

“We’re so used to everyone saying ‘Good job’ at the end. So when someone dips out early, you wonder why.”

He added humorously that he initially thought Wallen may have just needed a bathroom break.

‘SNL’ Jokes About the Exit on ‘Weekend Update’

“SNL” didn’t miss the opportunity to turn the event into comedy. During the April 5 ‘Weekend Update’ segment, co-host Colin Jost referenced Wallen while discussing the financial markets:

“Money is leaving the stock market faster than Morgan Wallen at goodnights.”

Wallen’s Past ‘SNL’ Controversy Resurfaces

This wasn’t Wallen’s first headline-making moment with “SNL.” In October 2020, he was dropped from the show’s lineup after being seen in videos partying without a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was later re-invited and performed in December 2020.

Conclusion: A Viral Moment With Minimal Fallout

While Morgan Wallen’s sudden exit from SNL fueled online discussion, the show’s cast, including Bowen Yang and Kenan Thompson, downplayed the drama. Their focus remains on delivering strong weekly performances, and as always, the show goes on.