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"Bowen Yang, a cast member of 'SNL', reveals one of his youthful items deemed 'culturally taboo' or 'forbidden'."

Born and raised with immigrant parents, first in Canada and subsequently in the United States, Yang developed an intense fascination for pop culture and Saturday Night Live. His captivating performances on the prestigious sketch series have led to an Emmy nomination.

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"Bowen Yang, a cast member of 'SNL,' reveals a forbidden cultural item from his childhood"
"Bowen Yang, a cast member of 'SNL,' reveals a forbidden cultural item from his childhood"

"Bowen Yang, a cast member of 'SNL', reveals one of his youthful items deemed 'culturally taboo' or 'forbidden'."

Bowen Yang, a rising star in the world of comedy, has made a significant impact on Saturday Night Live (SNL) since joining the show as a writer in 2018 and becoming a cast member the following year.

Yang's early enthusiasm for pop culture and television shows like SNL significantly influenced his career path. In high school, he was voted "Most Likely to Be on SNL," reflecting his passion and early interest in comedy and the show itself. His fandom was evident, as he brought VHS tapes of the show to school, demonstrating his engagement with sketch comedy from a young age.

This deep interest helped shape his comedic style and ambitions. Yang joined SNL initially as a writer for the 44th season in 2018 and was promoted to cast member the following year, becoming the first Asian-American cast member on the show. His background as an enthusiastic fan of pop culture and iconic TV shows like SNL laid the groundwork for his creative voice and comedic skills that aligned well with the show's format and audience.

While Grey's Anatomy is not directly cited as an influence on his SNL career, Yang's overall engagement with popular television and comedy content enriched his cultural awareness and versatility, which are critical for sketch performers. Additionally, he co-hosts a pop-culture comedy podcast, Las Culturistas, which further reflects how immersion in TV and pop culture fuels his comedic creativity and informs his work on SNL and beyond.

Yang's work on SNL has been recognised with an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. His performances on the show have been a crash course in pop culture, keeping him up-to-date with the latest trends every week.

Outside of SNL, Yang has ventured into other projects. He had a part in the musical Wicked and is co-host of the popular podcast Las Culturistas. The podcast, initially an excuse for Yang and his friend Matt Rogers to have a weekly playdate, has grown into a platform that covers a wide range of topics, including theme park attractions, breakfast foods, scenes from '90s television, clothing, and more.

The Las Culturistas Culture Awards, originating from a list of nominees and categories created during a summer in 2021, is another project that showcases Yang's love for pop culture. The first outdoor show for the awards in 2022 was free and attracted large crowds, leading to the goal of televising the event. The awards are intended to be nonsensical and atemporal, with "Song of the Summer" nominees from four years ago.

Yang's journey to SNL is a testament to the power of passion and the influence of pop culture. Growing up as the child of Chinese immigrants, he became obsessed with pop culture as a way to fit in. Despite facing pressures and challenges, Yang's determination and love for comedy have propelled him to success.

Yang's father, who had a limited concept of the world, having only eaten potatoes and lamb for the first 22 years of his life and moving out of Inner Mongolia to the city with only $11 in his pocket, would be proud of his son's achievements. Yang's story serves as an inspiration to aspiring comedians and a reminder of the transformative power of pop culture.

References: 1. Biography.com 2. The New York Times 3. Vulture 4. The Hollywood Reporter 5. The Cut

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