Overview

• On SNL’s Season 51 premiere, Bowen Yang appeared on Weekend Update as Dobby the House Elf, saying his “master” sent him to define “what a woman is,” a clear jab at J.K. Rowling.
• The segment mocked Rowling’s post-publication inclusivity claims by citing Dumbledore’s late-coming-out, Hermione’s stage casting, and uncertainty over Cho Chang’s depiction.
• Yang suffered a live wardrobe malfunction, quipping “Dobby’s come undone,” then revealed a “They. K. Rowling” T-shirt before Colin Jost joked that, per lore, Dobby was now free.
• The sketch referenced Rowling’s recent post calling Emma Watson “ignorant,” situating the bit within their renewed public rift over transgender rights.
• The moment drew wide coverage and celebrity amplification, including Ariana Grande resharing Yang’s Instagram post; outlets reported contacting Rowling’s reps, with no new response published.