“Comedians can take account for that”—Bowen Yang speaks out in Aimee Lou Wood’s defense following “mean” SNL sketch

American actor, comedian, and podcaster Bowen Yang has spoken in support of actress Aimee Lou Wood. He shared his opinion in an Extra interview that comedians can take account for their actions, as parodies can go too far sometimes. He explained,

“You need those reminders every now and then that parody can go too far sometimes, and that we as comedians can take account for that instead of banging our foot and saying that, like, we should be allowed to say whatever we want because that’s just the culture.”

Previously the actress had voiced her concerns on Instagram over a recent sketch parody on Saturday Night Live. The segment titled ‘The White POTUS,' which aired on April 12, offered a comedic take on The White Lotus show, one in which Wood plays a prominent role.

In the skit parodying the HBO hit series, Saturday Night Live reimagined President Donald Trump and his associates leaving Washington, D.C., amid rising U.S. tariffs and taking refuge in a luxurious hotel. The sketch exaggerated the political situations in a typical SNL fashion.

Bowen Yang is proud of Aimee Lou Wood and shares his support

Following the backlash, surrounding the SNL sketch, Bowen Yang spoke candidly with Extra in an April 17 interview. He said ,

“However she reacted to that sketch is completely valid. You kind of forget the sort of human, emotional cost that it sort of extols on someone.”

Yang also shared that the Saturday Night Live cast members are fans of The White Lotus and Aimee Lou Wood, saying,

“We just think that she should be so proud of the work that she put into this season.”

Aimee Lou Wood took issue with her portrayal and called the skit “mean and unfunny.” She had called out the act for “punching down” at her character and her British accent. While SNL reportedly offered her a private apology, the show has yet to release a public response.

More About Bowen Yang

Bowen Yang joined SNL as a writer in 2018 and became a cast member in 2019. Yang, whose parents worked as scientists in China before relocating to Australia, Canada, and eventually the United States, had spoken openly about his aspirations. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Yang pointed to Aidy Bryant—who left the show in 2022—as someone whose path he hoped to follow. He said,

“She understood this is a business where not everything is handed to you and you have to make your own work.”

Yang further shared,

“I’m not setting too many expectations for myself. I’m just trying to create opportunities for something interesting.”

In an interview shared on Forbes in 2018, Bowen was asked about his greatest achievement.

"Starting a podcast with my friend Matt Rogers and organically building a wonderful following from it."

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Bowen, now 34 years old, was asked back then if he considered being under 30 an advantage in his career.

"No, broadly speaking there is no average age in comedy, which is very refreshing. Any stress over success vis-à-vis age in comedy is just a matter of giving up short-term gains in favor of the long haul."

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