Bowen Yang is catching some heat after he posed as the internet’s favorite pygmy hippopotamus for a recent sketch on Saturday Night Live that slammed fans’ “parasocial” relationships with female celebrities.
Dressed as the viral hippopotamus Moo Deng, Yang visited the Weekend Update desk, where he tried to establish some boundaries with fans, sounding a lot like pop star Chappell Roan, who recently dropped out of two festival appearances to focus on her mental health.
“Stop. Stop clapping,” Yang demanded of the SNL audience when he joined Colin Jost. “For the past 10 weeks, I have been going nonstop – running around, eating lettuce, trying to bite the water from the hose – and the response has been overwhelming. But it has come to the point where I need to set some boundaries.”
He continued, “Reminder, women owe you nothing! When I’m in my enclosure, tripping over stuff, biting my trainer’s knee, I am at work. That is the project. Do not yell my name or expect a photo just because I’m your ‘parasocial bestie’ or because you appreciate my talent.”
He later noted that he “will not be making an endorsement in this year’s election,” poking fun at Roan’s controversial decision not to endorse Kamala Harris ahead of the presidential election. She became the subject of intense backlash from fans due to her statements on the Democratic candidate, spurring her, in part, to take this break from performing.
Fans at home were not impressed by Yang’s skit. And some even believe it could prompt Roan to drop out of the Nov. 2 episode of Saturday Night Live, where she is scheduled to perform alongside host John Mulaney.
“To insult Chappell Roan and Moo Deng in the same skit ? You’ll pay for your transgressions SNL,” one fan wrote.
“I can understand and appreciate the connection SNL was making about Chappell Roan and Moo Deng, but I still feel like the jokes were bordering on mockery somewhat of Chappell’s messages. It just doesn’t feel right to joke about what seems like a very sensitive subject currently,” another fan commented.
A fan who thought the skit “was perfection” wrote, “Calling it now she’s dropping out of SNL.”
Yang clarified his stance on the matter with a story posted on Instagram. “Oh geeez. ‘mocks’ ??? if my personal stance and the piece aren’t absolutely clear in terms of supporting her then there it is I guess,” he wrote.
He continued, “Everything she has ever asked for has been reasonable and even then we can connect it to another story about boundaries or whatever.”
Yang has been open about his own struggles with fame. He recently confessed that he struggled with stardom and imposter syndrome while balancing his responsibilities on Saturday Night Live and Wicked.
Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays on NBC at 11:30 p.m./10:30 C.