Bowen Yang Bids Farewell in Star-Studded Episode Hosted by Ariana Grande

NEW YORK : Saturday Night Live closed out its 2025 broadcast schedule with a high-energy holiday special that served as both a festive celebration and a bittersweet farewell to one of its most influential stars.

The episode, hosted by Ariana Grande for her third time, featured a rare musical appearance by the legendary Cher and officially marked the final episode for standout cast member Bowen Yang.

The biggest news of the night was the official departure of Bowen Yang. After six seasons, Yang announced his exit earlier this week, sparking a wave of tributes from fans and former cast members alike.

Former cast member Denny Dillon praised Yang’s tenure, noting, “What a huge loss. Such a talent… he was so gracious and showed such a generosity of spirit.” Yang’s departure was woven throughout the night, culminating in a sentimental “Delta Lounge” sketch where he duetted with Grande on “Please Come Home for Christmas” before being bid farewell by the “boss”—a cameo appearance by Cher herself.

Ariana Grande once again proved why she is a favorite at 8H, showcasing her vocal range and impressionist skills. Her monologue featured a holiday spoof of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” focused on the awkwardness of buying gifts for casual acquaintances.

Musical guest Cher returned to the SNL stage for the first time as a musical guest since Season 13. She performed her 2023 hit “DJ Play a Christmas Song” and later joined the show for a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run.”

The night opened with James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump providing a “White House Holiday Message,” rambling through administration achievements and pop-culture name-drops.

Other standout sketches included:

• A silly, high-concept sketch featuring Andrew Dismukes and Grande discussing the “trauma” of being holiday decorations.
• Ashley Padilla delivered a pitch-perfect Catherine O’Hara impression alongside Grande’s Kevin McAllister in a “bloody” take on the classic film’s reunion scene.
• The “Joke Swap” tradition continued with Colin Jost and Michael Che, and featured a surprise return from Aidy Bryant, who joined Yang for a final “Trend Forecasters” segment.

The festive mood was tempered by a somber tribute to Hollywood legend Rob Reiner, who, along with his wife Michele, was tragically found murdered this week. Reiner, who hosted SNL in its inaugural season, was honored with a title card before the show’s goodnights.

Saturday Night Live will return in 2026 to continue its landmark 51st season.