Bowen Yang’s Emotional ‘SNL’ Farewell: Ariana Grande, Cher and Fans Share the Moment

Saturday Night Live closed out its final episode of 2025 with an emotional goodbye to longtime cast member Bowen Yang. The Christmas-themed broadcast featured host Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher, creating a star-studded stage for Yang’s final night after seven seasons on the NBC sketch show. Yang, who joined the cast in 2018 and became one of the series’ most popular performers, confirmed earlier this week that Saturday’s episode would be his last. A fan favorite known for characters including the iceberg from Titanic and Fran Lebowitz impressions, Yang exits the long-running live comedy series as a trailblazer and the show’s first Chinese American cast member.

A Sentimental Final Sketch

In his closing performance, Yang played an eggnog server on his last shift in an airport Delta Lounge. The sketch’s premise quickly became symbolic, echoing his real-life departure.

“My machine is kind of breaking down, so they’re closing my station. This is my last shift,” Yang said, prompting an emotional reaction from the live audience. “Yeah, it’s sad. I’m going to miss everything about this place.”

The sketch built toward a heartfelt musical moment as Yang performed “Please Come Home for Christmas,” first alongside Grande and later joined by Cher. The emotional duet drew cheers and applause, and fans online quickly praised the moment as one of the most memorable holiday sketches in recent years. SNL veteran Kenan Thompson joined Yang in a brief exchange that viewers described as touching. Their on-stage interaction highlighted the camaraderie and mentorship that define long-term cast dynamics at Studio 8H.

A Legacy of Representation and Comedy

Since joining SNL, Yang became one of the show’s breakout stars, celebrated for sharp comedic timing, boundary-pushing characters and candid commentary on pop culture and identity. His departure marks the end of an era for fans who admired his humor, vulnerability and visibility on a mainstream comedy stage. Yang earned widespread acclaim outside SNL as well, acting in series and films, co-hosting pods, and using social media to reach younger audiences. His exit fuels speculation about upcoming projects and where his career will head next.

A Festive and Emotional Send-Off

The holiday-themed episode with Grande and Cher offered a theatrical backdrop for Yang’s final bow. Grande previously worked with Yang on promotional content for the upcoming Wicked films, making her presence especially meaningful. Watching Cher join the farewell moment gave fans another emotional highlight, combining nostalgia, music and farewell sentiment in a single sketch.

What’s Next for SNL

NBC confirmed that Saturday Night Live will return Jan. 17, 2026, with actor Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) hosting, and A$AP Rocky performing as musical guest. The announcement signals a new chapter for the show as it prepares to rebuild and introduce new cast dynamics without Yang. For now, fans are left celebrating Yang’s onscreen impact, rewatching favorite sketches and sharing goodbyes across social platforms. His final episode underscored what makes SNL enduring: unexpected emotion woven into live comedy.