Bowen Yang Says He Feels Like He Has ‘More to Do’ at ‘SNL’ amid Departures (Exclusive)

Amid a series of notable departures ahead of Saturday Night Live’s 51st season, Bowen Yang isn’t ready to say goodbye just yet. 

While catching up with PEOPLE at the One House Toast to the Emmys celebration, where the 34-year-old comedian was honored for being the most nominated Asian male performer at the annual ceremony, he explains why he doesn’t have a specific timeline when it comes to moving on from SNL.

“I’ve always gone by the instinct of, do I have more to do? And I feel like I do,” Yang explains of his decision to stay for season 51. “Even [creator] Lorne [Michaels] and I talked about it, and Lorne was like, ‘You have more to do,’ and that means a lot, because I even confessed to him. I was like, ‘I feel the audience is maybe getting sick of me.’ And he was like, ‘That’s not true. There’s more for you to do. I need you.’”

“I have to honor that,” he continues. “That man has changed my life, and I owe a lot of my life to that show. And I love working there, the people are the best. I really love each of them so much.” 

Yang also notes that he doesn’t have expectations going into a new season after years of always going in “with a game plan.”

“I let that go, and I think it served me well,” he reflects. “I like having no road map. If there’s any place to do that, it’s SNL, where it’s week to week. Sometimes you’re up for the challenge. Sometimes you show up even if you aren’t, and that’s kind of what makes interesting things happen.”

He went on to admit that he still gets nervous “every week,” but he says that seems to be a universal feeling.

“I remember Kate McKinnon in her eighth season, when I started, I saw her in the elevator,” Yang recalls. “I was like, ‘How are you feeling?’ She was like, ‘I’m nervous. I’m terrified.’ I was like, ‘Still?’ And she goes, ‘Still. It never goes away.’”

In the past few weeks, beloved cast members Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim have all announced their exits from the long-running series. Yang, who is entering his sixth season, says it is “absolutely” emotional to know that many of his co-stars and friends are leaving.

“What I’ve always thought, what I think everybody knows, is that SNL is this boot camp, and that implies that there is a next phase you train for something else,” he adds. “It’s always a transitional place, and I think it is always a launching pad.”

“Even for people who stay on the show, like Kenan [Thompson], let’s say, he has still used that show to help expand his possibilities,” Yang points out. “I think that’s going to be true for all of the people who aren’t coming back. I’m so excited to see what they do. I’m excited for the new cast.”

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Saturday Night Live season 51 premieres on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.