Comedian Bowen Yang unleashed an epic rant on last weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live, ostensibly over the recent wave of anti-Asian-American violence. In the same rant, however, he also issued a passionate plea to acknowledge gay characters in Sailor Moon.
For the uninitiated, Sailor Moon is a popular series of manga and anime adventures about a group of young women gifted with extraordinary powers. Together, they unite to protect the solar system from nefarious forces bent on conquering the universe.
Apparently, Bowen Yang is a fan. In addition to his advocating for acknowledging gay characters in Sailor Moon, Yang also issued a pointed–and often hilarious–denunciation of violence against Asian-Americans.
“Is that my official title, Asian Cast Member?” Yang asked when introduced by fellow cast member Colin Jost. Jost noted that Yang had asked to be introduced as “Asian Cast Member.” “Yeah, I set your ass up, it feels good,” Yang quipped.
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“So things for Asians in this country have been really bleak for the past two weeks… and all the weeks before that since forever,” Yang continued. “But there’s a lot of work to do and I found some posts online with action items that everyone can take to help. Here are some I found super helpful: ‘Six Ways to Check in on Your AAPI Friends and Tell Them They’re So Hot.'”
Yang then went on to detail several other dubious initiatives, including one to add a Panera in North Brooklyn and ‘Call your senators and demand that they know about the lesbian characters in Sailor Moon!’”
Related: Bowen Yang opens up about undergoing conversion therapy as a teen
“What can I say to help how insanely bad things are?” he went on. “If someone’s personality is ‘punch an Asian grandma,’ it’s not a dialogue. I have an Asian grandma, you want to punch her. There ain’t no common ground, Mama.”
Yang then got to the crux of his argument: do more.
“You cried during Minari?” he continued. “Congrats. I was sobbing into my boner for Steven Yeun. Do more. And why are you telling me that you tipped your manicurist well? Let me know when you get on your knees and scrub your feet while she looks at your phone. Do more!”
“I’m just a comedian,” Yang then admitted. “I don’t have the answers. But I’m not just looking for them online, I’m looking around me. The GoFundMe for Xiao Zhen Xie, the grandmother who fought back against her attacker, raised $900,000, which she immediately gave back to the community. That’s where we are as Asians, now come meet us there.”
Yang concluded by sharing a Mandarin phrase that translated means “fuel up.”
“I don’t know what’s helpful to say to everyone, but that’s what I say to myself,” he added. “Fuel up. Do more. It’s the year of the metal ox, which basically means a car. So everyone, get in, buckle up, it’s no pee breaks. We ride at dawn, grandmas!”
Well said, Bowen.
Kangol2
He can be utterly hilarious. One of his best SNL impressions is of…Fran Leibowitz!
kumagiri
Bowen Yang is hilarious. “Bonjour-Hi!” is one of my all time favorites.
Also, the remarkable “The Actress” which he wrote for Emma Stone is what SNL should be focus on doing. Perfection in every sense.
whatabesson
He’s one of the only great ones of the newer cast. He’s good.
BoomerMyles
She”s too whiny for me.
WillParkinson
Um….yeah, okay.
SarcasaticMisanthrope
I have never found Bowen Yang funny. He seems a bit shrill when he does the skits on SNL. Perhaps its the writing, who knows?
lykeitiz
I agree (sort of). I actually find his words very thoughtful and funny. It’s his delivery.
Notindoctrinated
This is hard to watch. Talk about bombing hard on live TV pretty much none of the ‘jokes’ land and the audience is clearly not sure if they are supposed to laugh or not. Who knew comedy had to be funny. So cringe.