‘Proud Gay Oompa Loompa’ gives feedback on Timothée Chalamet’s ‘twink’ Wonka on SNL
Bowen Yang continues to prove why he's one of SNL's most exciting talents.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: SNL
Saturday Night Live‘s Bowen Yang gave two sickening performances on Saturday’s show, slaying as a middle-school student playing a fierce Daddy Long Legs in his school’s Bug Assembly, as well as a “Proud Gay Oompa Loompa”.
The comedian, 30, who is the sketch show’s first Asian-American star and is also openly gay, completely stole the spotlight away from the host, James Bond actor and Oscar-winner, Rami Malek.
Earlier this year, Yang was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for SNL at the Emmy’s, becoming the first nominated featured player on the show as well as the first-ever Asian-American male actor to be nominated.
“NO MORE QUESTIONS!”
In the sketch titled ‘Bug Assembly’ Yang, as well as Malek and fellow players Andrew Dismukes and Sarah Sherman play school students putting on a show about various bugs. Yang (who’s later revealed to have originally been cast as a Cockroach – “It wasn’t a fit” he dryly replies) appears as Russell who’s taken on the role of a Daddy Long Legs.
The assembly described as “burning man for the weird kids” sees each student present facts about their bugs. While the other three present actual, real-life facts about their bugs, Yang’s character, Russell, opens his presentation with “I’m Daddy Long Legs,” before sashaying across the stage to thumping music.
Answering a question about what each bug eats Yang replies: “Boys, boys, boys” before voguing again. Later, when asked about science facts he says: “I’m hot, I party, I walk into the room and am respected. NO MORE QUESTIONS!” before voguing once again (losing a leg in the process)
Asked how the Daddy Long Legs traps its prey Yang says: “I slam my credit card and say Daddy’s got it” to raucous laughter and applause from the studio audience.
In a second sketch, Yang appears as a “Proud Gay Oompa Loompa”, who is outed by Weekend Update host, Colin Jost. The orange-skinned and green-haired character appears to discuss the image of Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka in the origins movie musical, which the actor is filming now.
Appearing surprised by the introduction the Oompa Loompa admits to being “outed” and ignores the statement he intended to give to process talking to his parents, who he says live in Oompa Loompa land where “it’s not as progressive” and they only just got Will and Grace.
Yang’s Loompa then spills all the tea about Willy Wonka, an “ideas man” who’s got no practical skills whatsoever and that the Oompa Loompa’s just rehearse their songs for “when a child dies!” cries Yang.
After some snarky comments directed at Jost, Yang admits it’s “nice to be out” and jokes that maybe Colin, who’s married to Scarlett Johannson, should come out too.
Both sketches highlight Yang’s comedic chops as well as showing why he’s there. Not only that but he is killing it!
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