On November 14, 2026, Bowen Yang stepped back onto the iconic Studio 8H stage for a double-dosed appearance. After a brief cold-open as former Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, the 36-year-old returned later in the show as Mary Todd Lincoln, the centerpiece of a Central Park-inspired musical sketch titled “The Little Park of Horrors.” The episode, hosted by John Mulaney, blended political satire, Broadway flair, and a generous dose of pop-culture parody.
Yang’s participation came while he is still starring in the Tony-nominated Broadway production Oh, Mary!, where he embodies the same historical figure. The play, which opened in September for a planned 12-week run, has already been extended through January 17, 2027, reflecting strong audience demand. Tickets remain available at .
Two surprise roles on the same episode
The evening opened with a tongue-in-cheek cold-open that featured Yang as Jensen Huang, delivering a mock briefing to a lineup of tech magnates about distinguishing genuine romantic interests from espionage. The sketch introduced the absurd premise with a mix of rapid-fire jokes and exaggerated Venn diagrams, setting the tone for an episode high on irony.
After this brief cameo, Yang slipped back into the following musical number, this time fully transformed into Mary Todd Lincoln. Mulaney, playing a grieving horse-drawn carriage operator lamenting New York City’s recent ban on such vehicles, served as the anchor for the sketch’s narrative. Yang’s rendition of Dreamgirls’ “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going,” rewritten to lampoon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), became the night’s most talked-about moment.
The Little Park of Horrors: cast and song parodies
The sketch assembled a veritable all-star cast of SNL repertory players, each delivering a musical spoof that riffed on classic Broadway and pop numbers. Veronika Slowikowska portrayed a marathon finisher, belting a parody of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” with exaggerated determination. Tommy Brennan entered as a pedicab driver eager to replace Mulaney’s carriage, joining the host in a duel of “Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better).”
Mikey Day appeared as a homeless man delivering a frantic monologue about God, while Kenan Thompson drifted across the set as a literal cloud of weed smoke. Supporting the latter, Sarah Sherman, Grace Reiter, and Saidah Belo-Osagie performed a whimsical rendition of Cats’ “Mr. Mistoffelees,” adding a surreal ballet-like interlude.
Meanwhile, James Austin Johnson took on the role of a self-styled “Park Slope Cuck,” twisting the classic “Maria” from West Side Story into a tongue-in-cheek number titled “Mamdani.” Each musical fragment was punctuated by sharp lyrical rewrites that targeted everything from New York’s subway woes to the city’s recent bans on animal-drawn carriages.
Broadway tie-in and celebrity buzz
Yang’s SNL stint dovetailed with the ongoing success of Oh, Mary!, a production that has generated substantial social-media chatter. Actress Ariana Grande posted an Instagram story praising the show, describing it as “the greatest, funniest, most wonderful there is” and expressing gratitude for meeting her “Mary.” Her boyfriend, Ricky Alvarez, accompanied her to a performance the night before the SNL episode.
The extended run through January 2027 ensures that theatergoers can continue to experience Yang’s acclaimed portrayal of the First Lady, while his television cameo offers a fresh, comedic perspective on the same historical figure. Fans of both mediums now have multiple avenues to enjoy his performance, reinforcing the unique crossover between Broadway and late-night television.
Overall, the November 14 episode illustrated how Bowen Yang leverages his theatrical roots to enrich a live-television format, delivering a night that blended musical homage, topical satire, and a dash of historical drama.
