Bowen Yang, known for his role in Wicked, recently opened up about one of Saturday Night Live‘s (SNL) most intriguing holiday traditions—the “garbage party.” During a conversation with People Magazine, Yang detailed the quirky celebration that has replaced more conventional holiday customs at the iconic NBC studios.
Origin of the Garbage Party
The tradition originated as a solution to issues arising from earlier holiday practices like Secret Santa and white elephant gift exchanges. Yang shared that cast members were dissatisfied with the outcomes of these exchanges, often leading to hurt feelings over unequal gifts. It was during the early days of SNL veterans Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant that the concept of the garbage party was introduced.
“Because people were like, ‘Oh, I ended up with a bad one and this person got a good one.’ And so, Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon in their early days did away with that,” Yang explained.
The garbage party takes place after the read-through of the Christmas episode, marking the last rehearsal of the year. It functions as a potluck-style gathering where every attendee contributes a random item or activity to the festivities.
A Potluck of Chaos and Fun
Yang elaborated on how the cast and crew participate in the celebration by bringing food or quirky contributions. Items range from burgers to jello shots, creating an atmosphere of spontaneity and joy.
“It’s like a potluck instead of a gift-giving thing,” he said. “Everyone just contributes something to the garbage party.”
The gathering is held in the writers’ room of NBC’s iconic 30 Rockefeller Center, where the team occupies the first floor. The space transforms into a lively party zone with dimmed lights and festive decor. Contributions can be anything from karaoke machines to party lights, emphasizing creativity over material gifts.
“It’ll be like someone’s contribution will be a karaoke machine, and it’s a mess, and it’s so fun,” Yang added.
A Moment to Unwind
For the SNL cast, the garbage party serves as a rare opportunity to relax and connect beyond the demanding schedules and occasional afterparties.
“It’s our one moment of letting loose beyond the afterparties, which are hard to come by. It’s hard for all of us to be in the same place at the same time,” Yang revealed.
The actor emphasized that the event offers a much-needed respite, allowing cast members to unwind and enjoy each other’s company in a casual, lighthearted setting.
On the professional front, Bowen Yang recently appeared in the film adaptation of Wicked, starring alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The movie has been performing well at the box office, adding another milestone to Yang’s thriving career.
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