News Outlet Plugs “SNL” Hire Bowen Yang With Photo of Other Gay Asian

NBC announced this week that Bowen Yang is among the three comedians joining the upcoming 45th season of Saturday Night Live as featured players.

Yang is making SNL history as the first Chinese-American performer on the sketch comedy series, and he’s only the third openly gay cast member after Terry Sweeney and John Milhiser.

The Hollywood Reporter was so excited on Friday that it tweeted its support of Bowen—using a photo of another gay Asian comic, Sunnyside star Joel Kim Booster. Oop! Needless to say, THR’s social media team was quickly and thoroughly dragged.

All look same. pic.twitter.com/EPcxiM75mj — Angry Asian Man (@angryasianman) September 14, 2019

A previous tweet by THR about new SNL cast member Bowen Yang contained an incorrect image due to a photo error. THR has deleted the tweet and apologizes for the mistake. — The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 14, 2019

“A previous tweet by THR about new SNL cast member Bowen Yang contained an incorrect image due to a photo error,” the entertainment news outlet later posted. “THR has deleted the tweet and apologizes for the mistake.”

Before anybody gets canceled, it should be noted that both the original and amended THR tweets link to a June feature about LGBTQ comedy breakouts Yang, Booster, Sam Jay, and Jaboukie Young-White.

THR’s unfortunate gaffe follows new SNL cast member Shane Gillis’ defensive Twitter apology for his past racist, homophobic, and sexist remarks. Gillis referred to “faggot comics” and used the anti-Chinese slur “chinks” in a podcast.

NBC belongs to gay asian men now, apologies. — Joel Kim Booster (@ihatejoelkim) September 12, 2019

Yang joined SNL as a writer last season and made his on-air debut as North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un in a sketch opposite host Sandra Oh. Co-host of the Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers, Yang has also appeared in High Maintenance, Isn’t It Romantic, and The Outs.

While Bowen has been touted as SNL’s first Asian cast member, The New York Times notes the Asian ancestry of past cast members Rob Schneider, Fred Armisen, and Nasim Pedrad.

SNL returns September 28 with host Woody Harrelson and musical guest Billie Eilish.