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SNL Recap: Bowen Yang Plays Hippo Moo Deng and Supports Chappell Roan


SNL Recap: Bowen Yang Plays Hippo Moo Deng and Supports Chappell Roan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfIbbP3vuwaA

If there is one thing that Bowen Yang can continue Saturday Night Liveit steals the show – which he did in the Season 50 premiere dressed as Moo Deng.

That's right, during the season opener on Saturday, September 28, Yang, 33, portrayed the pygmy hippopotamus, whose life in a Thai zoo went viral on social media earlier this month.

“Stop, stop clapping! Hello Colin (Jost)“Is it okay if I say something?” Yang, dressed in a hippo costume, began during a “Weekend Update” segment. “For the last ten weeks I've been running around non-stop, eating salad and trying to bite the water out of a hose and the reaction has been overwhelming. But it’s gotten to the point where I need to set some boundaries.”

Yang continued, “As a reminder, women don’t owe you anything. If I trip over things in my enclosure and bite my trainer's knee, I'm at work. This is the project. Don’t call my name or expect a photo just because I’m your parasocial best friend or because you appreciate my talent.”

Yang's Moo Deng further explained that his talent is “having a slippery body that bounces.”

“Colin, before me the only hippos in the media were either 'hungry, hungry' or Jada Pinkett Smith In MadagascarYang joked. “But now I’m your favorite hippo’s favorite hippo – and I’m very thirsty.”

He added: “Trust me, I wouldn't be in this position without my fans… (and) my Moo Deng Boo Thangs.” But the harassment was unbearable. Oh my God, they’re throwing shellfish and bananas at me!”

SNL's Bowen Yang Compares Hippo Moo Deng's Viral Popularity to Chappell Roan:

Bowen Yang and Colin Jost Will Heath/NBC

Yang's comments have drawn comparisons to pop stars Chappell Roanwho has described herself as “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” Despite Roan's immense popularity, she has been vocal about her problems with fan attention. In a lengthy social media statement shared in August, Roan, 26, noted that she was “scared and tired” of certain “predatory” behaviors when she wasn't on stage.

Yangs SNL The speech even directly copied parts of Roan's remarks, which Jost, 42, quickly recognized.

“I have to say, Moo Deng, your life lately is a lot like Chappell Roan,” Jost replied. “Do you know Chappell Roan?”

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Yang-as-the-viral-hippo replied that he knew Roan even though he was “ten weeks old.”

“Of course I know Chappell Roan,” Yang said. “And by the way, leave her alone! Give her as much time as she needs for her mental health. We both deserve patience and mercy so stop harassing her and stop throwing shellfish at her…it's a matter of time Colin, that's what society does. It puts young women on a pedestal only to beat them down with shellfish.”

SNL's Bowen Yang Compares Hippo Moo Deng's Viral Popularity to Chappell Roan:

Chappell Roan Jakubaszek/Redferns

Roan, for her part, was scheduled to perform at the All Things Go music festival on Saturday, but had to cancel a day earlier due to mental health issues. She should do it later SNL Debuts as a musical guest on the November 2nd episode.

Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

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