Dave Chappelle’s return to Saturday Night Live (SNL) on January 18 marked his fourth time hosting, but it also brought a notable moment of reconciliation with cast member Bowen Yang. The two shared an unexpected hug at the end of the show, offering a rare gesture that wrapped up what had been an awkward history between them. The interaction came after their tense moment during the January 2024 episode when Chappelle made a surprise appearance while Dakota Johnson hosted. During that show, Yang appeared distanced from Chappelle, sparking speculation about a potential feud between the comedian and the openly gay cast member, who has been criticized for transphobic remarks.
Despite not appearing in any sketches together during this episode, the hug between Chappelle and Yang suggested a resolution of sorts. In the aftermath of the January incident, Yang clarified to Variety that his stance on the stage was not intentionally created due to any personal conflict with Chappelle. Instead, he explained that there was some internal confusion that contributed to the physical distance, emphasizing that it wasn’t driven by the comedian’s presence.
Chappelle’s controversial history, particularly his 2021 Netflix special The Closer, has placed him at odds with parts of the LGBTQ+ community, with transphobic remarks sparking significant backlash. However, Yang downplayed the tension, attributing the misunderstanding to “other people’s responses in the show” and expressing his confusion during that time.
In his 17-minute monologue during the January 18 episode, Chappelle addressed the tension surrounding his past controversies, admitting that he hadn’t wanted to host again because of his history. Nonetheless, he delivered his usual biting humor, tackling topics like the Los Angeles wildfires and poking fun at Sean “Diddy” Combs.
SNL’s 50th season continues next week with A Complete Unknown star Timothée Chalamet, who will serve as both host and musical guest.