Bowen Yang’s Emotional SNL Farewell Steals Christmas Show Spotlight

Comedian Bowen Yang said goodbye to Saturday Night Live this weekend. His final episode was the show’s annual Christmas installment. The episode was hosted by his Wicked co-star, Ariana Grande.

The night was filled with sketches and musical numbers. Yang’s emotional departure became the central story of the broadcast, according to reports.

A Sentimental Send-Off With Musical Flair

Ariana Grande’s monologue set a festive tone. She performed a holiday parody about stressful gift shopping. The song was a twist on Mariah Carey’s classic Christmas hit.

Mid-song, Bowen Yang joined her on the Studio 8H stage. The audience erupted in sustained applause for the departing cast member. His appearance marked his first on-camera moment since his exit was confirmed.

Grande and Yang shared a warm, joking exchange about his Wicked role. The moment blended humor with clear sentiment. More cast members soon joined them to offer silly gift suggestions.

Final Sketch Delivers Tearful Goodbye

Yang’s last sketch provided the night’s most poignant moment. He played a Delta airline employee working his final Christmas shift. Grande called him, as a passenger, to express her pride.

The dialogue turned meta, reflecting on Yang’s own SNL journey. He compared himself to eggnog, a holiday treat “not for everyone.” The writing allowed for a genuine, off-script feeling farewell.

Yang then broke character slightly. He shared his gratitude for the job and the people. He stated he felt lucky to have worked there and wanted to enjoy it a little longer.

Bowen Yang’s SNL exit concludes a significant chapter for the actor and the show itself, leaving a memorable mark on this season’s holiday episode.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: Why was Bowen Yang leaving SNL?

His departure was announced just before the Christmas episode. Yang confirmed the news on his Instagram, thanking producer Lorne Michaels for the opportunity. He stated he loved working there and especially loved the people.

Q2: How many seasons was Bowen Yang on SNL?

Bowen Yang was a cast member for six seasons. He joined the show in 2019 as a featured player before being promoted to repertory status. His tenure included many celebrated character performances and Weekend Update appearances.

Q3: Who else appeared in the Christmas episode?

Musical guest Cher performed, marking her first SNL appearance since 1987. Former cast member Aidy Bryant also made a surprise cameo during the Weekend Update segment. Host Ariana Grande performed double duty, both acting and singing.

Q4: What was the cold open about?

The cold open featured James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump. The sketch humorously addressed current events, including the Epstein files and a proposed “Patriot Games” event for teenagers. It set a satirical tone for the night’s political comedy.

Q5: Who is hosting SNL next in 2026?

The show announced that actor Finn Wolfhard will host the first episode of 2026 on January 17. He will be joined by musical guest A$AP Rocky. This follows the conclusion of the 2025 holiday break.