2 weeks Ago By Samantha Bergeson
Bowen Yang killed one particular quip during “The View” on April 24: The “SNL” star, who has famously portrayed Vice President JD Vance on the sketch series, called Vance a “pope killer” on live TV . Vance famously was among the final people to meet with Pope Francis before the pope’s passing. And though it’s been a running joke and meme online the last few days, Yang took it mainstream.
You can see how shocked “The View” co-hosts were, particularly Whoopi Goldberg turning in her chair to hide her laughter. “I mean, look, the guy’s a pope killer, okay? Somebody had to say it,” Yang said in the below clip. Yang has been vocal about being hesitant to play Vance on “SNL.
” He explained during his “The View” appearance that he was surprised to be cast as the politician. “I just thought there would be better people for it,” “The Wedding Banquet” actor said. “It was my imposter syndrome.
I worked with an accent coach. I had to get it between Ohio and Appalachia with the accent.” Now, Yang no doubt could make a “pope killer” assassin sketch for the latest “SNL.
” It was announced earlier today that the final three episodes for Season 50 will be respectively hosted by Quinta Brunson, Walton Goggins, and Scarlett Johansson. Yang first played Vance in September 2024. He later said during “The Daily Show” that “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels specifically cast him in that role.
“Lorne asked me [to play Vance] and, I said, ‘Please, please, please don’t make me do this,’” Yang said April 11. “I really do my best with him, but every time I have to play him, I go to Lorne and I say, ‘You can do a buyback, You don’t have to stick with me.’” Yang added that he really didn’t want to “screw this up” with the big part.
Instead, he suggested that Michaels ask Zach Galifianakis or former “SNL” star Taran Killam to portray Vance, given it is such a “challenging” role, and one that would last all of Vance’s time in office. “[I had] such an uphill battle,” Yang said. “Everyone in America is going to be like, ‘This Asian guy is playing that guy?’ I was like, I really got to nail this down.
And I’m just telling you guys, I’m doing my best.”.
