Bowen Yang, renowned Saturday Night Live cast member, recently shed light on some of the heartwarming and hilarious holiday traditions at Studio 8H. Beyond the comedic sketches and live performances, the SNL cast enjoys unique celebrations, including a chaotic “garbage party” and thoughtful gifts from creator Lorne Michaels.
Lorne Michaels’ Sweet Holiday Tradition: Homemade Jam
Yang, 34, revealed that Michaels expresses his holiday cheer with a personal touch: homemade preserves and jams from his own farm. “He will give you preserves and jams from his farm, and it’s the most delicious raspberry jam you’ve ever eaten,” Yang shared. “I look forward to it every year. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. That’s the lovely group gift that he gives everybody, and everyone’s thrilled, truly.” This yearly gesture extends beyond the holidays, as Michaels also gives birthday gifts to the cast, leading Yang to believe that “part of his love language is gift gifting.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999×0:1001×2)/bowen-yang-lorne-michaels-kate-mckinnon-122024-f20b24a7d97041d3b3a2d449b34e3a9d.jpg)
The “Garbage Party”: A Chaotic Potluck of Festive Fun
Another cherished tradition at SNL is the “garbage party,” a post-Christmas episode read-through event. This unique gathering originated from a previous Secret Santa tradition that, according to Yang, sometimes resulted in hurt feelings due to the varying quality of gifts. Former cast members Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon then conceived the “garbage party” as a more lighthearted and inclusive alternative.
Yang explained that the “garbage party” functions as a potluck where cast members contribute a random assortment of items. “It’s like a potluck instead of a gift-giving thing,” he says. “It’s like, people will buy 20 cheeseburgers from Shake Shack, or you bring Jello shots from home, or you bring 30 Funko Pops for people to take home. It’s everyone just culls together their weird, most random contributions essentially.” The chaotic and fun nature of the potluck contributes to its enduring popularity within the SNL cast.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(528×219:530×221)/Bowen-Yang-return-072623-1-cd3d1fb2e2474e31b713fbd01a404050.jpg)
Bowen Yang’s Own Gifting Tradition: The Las Culturistas Gift Guide
Continuing the spirit of giving, Yang partnered with Pinterest to create “The Las Culturistas Gift Guide,” inspired by the podcast he co-hosts with Matt Rogers. This curated collection reflects their personal tastes and includes items like Mariah Carey’s memoir and a Chappell Roan vinyl record. Yang emphasizes the thoughtful selection process, highlighting “little winks throughout” for dedicated podcast listeners. This guide offers a unique way for fans to connect with the podcast and discover curated gifts for pop culture enthusiasts.
