Bowen Yang Defends Ego Nwodim’s SNL ‘Weekend Update’ Bit: It Wasn’t Meant to Get Us Fined!

For two consecutive weeks, the highly anticipated 50th season of Saturday Night Live has been generating buzz in TV schedules, with its latest episode causing a stir due to cast member Ego Nwodim accidentally inciting the studio audience to swear during the show. The incident was captured as both Nwodim’s surprise and Colin Jost’s infectious laughter were evident. For any future hosts of Saturday Night Live who might worry about similar mishaps, rest assured. Fellow series alum Bowen Yang offered an insightful perspective that clarifies Nwodim’s intentions.

At first glance, it might appear that Ego Nwodim intended for the audience to utter something inappropriate when she passed them the mic and asked, “These men ain’t what?” But, during her co-hosting role on Monday’s Today with Jenna and Friends, the Wicked star clarified that her co-star didn’t aim to instigate controversy. Instead, her intention was to explore a classic aspect of comedy that SNL has been known for – practical humor.

In my opinion, the script appeared to be designed for a pause or silence. It seems the audience wasn’t familiar with the catchphrases, and I find it intriguing that in this year of 2025, there’s still a disconnect where everyone can synchronize their responses at once.

When listening to the raw audio, it appears that almost everyone in the Saturday Night Live audience exclaimed “shit” when prompted for a group version of fill-in-the-blank. This occurred during Nwodim’s performance of the skit on Weekend Update without any explicit encouragement from her.

Adding to the sentiments, Today host Jenna Hager-Bush threw this comment into the discussion:

They didn’t even say, ‘Ain’t worth a damn,’ which I think we are allowed to say.

As a film enthusiast, let me share my take on an amusing yet unpolished scene from Saturday Night Live (SNL). Ego Nwodim, once a part of Today with Jenna and Friends, handled the mishap gracefully and delivered her punchline just as intended. She playfully hinted that SNL’s producer Lorne Michaels might not have been too pleased by the turn of events. I believe this could soon join the ranks of SNL’s most legendary – or should I say, notorious – moments.

Simultaneously, Bowen Yang’s extra comments and Nwodim’s response to the audience suggest that the cast of this late-night show is largely free from accusations of blame. In fact, some might argue that this particular episode is one of the less explicit entries in their collection, given the more lenient FCC rules regarding profanity after 10 PM nowadays.

Enjoy Peacock TV for as low as $7.99 a month or upgrade to an ad-free experience with the premium tier! The rich history of Saturday Night Live is now at your fingertips. Although you won’t catch the unfiltered reaction to Ego Nwodim’s memorable live TV event, you can stream the iconic sketch show as it airs and also on the following day. Check out the offer here!

Through our previous coverage and various social media outlets, you may come across the original, uncensored footage. However, it’s worth checking out the edited version that’s been uploaded on YouTube, and for Peacock subscribers, this altered version might also be accessible. This could serve as a test to see if you would have suggested viewing this edited version spontaneously.

In the past, Saturday Night Live has often pushed the boundaries of broadcast standards, but Ego Nwodim’s performance doesn’t fit into that category. Although it remains entertaining regardless of how you view it, this instance doesn’t showcase someone acting independently or breaking rules.

Supporting Bowen Yang in his role isn’t just a gesture from a considerate cast member, it’s also a time when the circumstances of the situation provide a mirror for us – the audience – to see ourselves. Furthermore, this week’s SNL host and musical guest duo of Jon Hamm and Lizzo could attract many viewers who are eager to find out if another live blunder might take place.

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2025-04-07 23:38