Bowen Yang’s final appearance on Saturday Night Live was a blend of music, laughter and heartfelt good-byes that left the audience in tears. The actor-comedian, who has been a part of the show since 2018, closed the season with a touching sketch that featured Ariana Grande, the night’s host, and Cher, the musical guest.
The Final Sketch
In the closing sketch, Yang played a retiring airport lounge worker on his last shift during Christmas Eve. He sang “Please Come Home for Christmas,” joined by Grande and Cher, and the trio hugged Yang as the song ended. The scene also gave Yang a chance to say goodbye to several castmates. He sprayed Kenan Thompson with eggnog, a moment that elicited laughter and applause. When the performance concluded, Yang was visibly emotional, saying, “I just wanted to enjoy it for a little longer.”
A Night of Tributes
The show wrapped up with a brief photo tribute to the late director Rob Reiner, followed by the cast’s curtain call. Grande told Yang, “We love you so much,” a sentiment echoed by the audience’s standing ovation. The emotional tone carried through the entire episode, underscoring the significance of Yang’s departure.
The Road to Leaving
Yang’s exit came after a major cast exodus last summer that saw Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and John Higgins leave the show. The decision was not entirely unexpected; Yang had discussed the possibility with NBC’s creator Lorne Michaels in September. In a People interview, he recalled, “Lorne was like, ‘You have more to do,’ and that means a lot, because I even confessed to him. I was like, ‘I feel the audience is maybe getting sick of me.’ And he was like, ‘That’s not true. There’s more for you to do. I need you.'”
He added, “That man has changed my life, and I owe a lot of my life to that show. And I love working there. The people are the best. I really love each of them so much.”
A Multifaceted Career
Before his SNL tenure, Yang was a writer on the show in 2018, became a featured player the following season, and was promoted to the main cast two seasons later. Over the years, he earned five Emmy nominations and became a fan favorite. Outside of television, he co-hosts the pop-culture podcast Las Culturistas with fellow comedian Matt Rogers. The pair also hosted the spoof Las Culturista Culture Awards on Bravo last summer and plan to return next year.
Yang’s stage credits include Wicked and Wicked: For Good as Pfannee, and he co-starred in the remade The Wedding Banquet this year. In 2023, he appeared in Dicks: The Musical and Fire Island, and from 2020 to 2023 he co-starred in Awkwafina is Nora from Queens.
Iconic SNL Moments
Yang’s breakout moments on the show include playing the Titanic iceberg on Weekend Update, spoofing George Santos, portraying a gay Oompa-Loompa, and parodying Vice President JD Vance. His final Weekend Update appearance featured former cast member Aidy Bryant, offering viewers holiday trend tips for 2026.
Personal Reflections
In an Instagram post on the day of his final episode, Yang wrote, “i loved working at SNL, and most of all i loved the people. i was there at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile, but working at 30 Rock taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile.”
He also reflected on his identity in an Esquire interview: “There’s an idea that all of what I do is queer and Asian, which I don’t think is true. I get sick of people reducing the work I do on the show to those identifiers.” He added, “Work, he said, ‘is not the most meaningful thing for me anymore. The things I like are spending time with friends, working every now and then, not being caged by it.'”
Advice from a Fellow Comedian
During a previous SNL episode, Kristen Wiig offered Yang guidance: “Have fun. It’s the most fun job in the world, and you’ll miss it when it’s done. You won’t realize how much you miss it until you leave.”
Key Takeaways
- Bowen Yang’s final SNL episode featured a heartfelt Christmas-themed sketch with Ariana Grande and Cher.
- He left mid-season following a larger cast exodus and a decision reached after discussions with Lorne Michaels.
- Yang’s career spans writing, acting, podcasting and multiple television and stage roles.
The announcement of Yang’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Saturday Night Live and highlights the enduring impact of the show’s ensemble on its performers and audiences alike.
