Bowen Yang’s final appearance on Saturday Night Live left the audience in tears, eggnog, and a heartfelt duet with Ariana Grande.
The sketch, set on Christmas Eve, featured Yang as a retiring airport lounge worker who sang “Please Come Home for Christmas” while Grande and Cher joined him.
During the performance, Yang sprayed Kenan Thompson with eggnog, delivered lines about moving on, and said, “I just wanted to enjoy it for a little longer,” an emotional Yang said, before breaking into tears.
The show closed with a photo tribute to the late director Rob Reiner and a curtain call that honored the cast’s legacy.
Ariana Grande’s Opening Monologue
Grande kicked off the show with a parody of “All I Want for Christmas is You,” joking about buying gifts for people you barely know. Yang joined her onstage to huge cheers and helped complete the song.
The Final Sketch Details
Yang’s airport lounge character worked his last shift, serving eggnog to travelers. He sang with Grande and Cher, and the trio hugged him in a touching moment.
The Curtain Call and Tribute
After the sketch, the show ended with a brief photo tribute to the slain director Rob Reiner, followed by the cast curtain call.
Yang’s Journey on SNL
Yang joined the show as a writer in 2018, became a featured player the following season, and was promoted to the main cast two seasons later. He earned five Emmy nominations during his tenure.
Conversation with Lorne Michaels
In September, Yang told People he had discussed leaving with NBC’s creator Lorne Michaels. He said, “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,'” Yang said.
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.”
Instagram Farewell
Yang posted on Instagram: “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.”
Co-Hosting Las Culturistas
Outside SNL, Yang co-hosts the pop culture podcast “Las Culturistas” with comedian Matt Rogers. They also hosted the spoof Las Culturista Culture Awards on Bravo last summer and plan to return next year.
Other Notable Roles
Yang appeared in “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” as Pfannee, co-starred in the remade “The Wedding Banquet,” and performed in “Dicks: The Musical” (2023) and “Fire Island” (2022). He also co-starred in “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens” from 2020 to 2023.
Past Departures and Mid-Season Exits
A major exodus of cast members last summer included Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and John Higgins. Mid-season departures are not unprecedented; Cecily Strong left in December 2022.
Breakout Bits and Final Weekend Update
Yang’s breakout moments included playing the Titanic iceberg on “Weekend Update,” George Santos, a gay Oompa Loompa, Vice President JD Vance, and a straight man who hooked up with Gina Gershon and Sydney Sweeney. His final “Weekend Update” appearance was alongside former cast member Aidy Bryant, offering holiday trend tips.
Esquire Cover and Identity
In an October 28 interview for his Esquire cover, Yang said, “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.'”
Kristen Wiig’s Advice
Yang recalled advice from Kristen Wiig when she hosted SNL: “She was like, ‘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 sketch featured a heartfelt duet with Ariana Grande and ended in tears.
- He left after a decade, citing a conversation with Lorne Michaels and a heartfelt Instagram post.
- Yang’s career spans writing, performing, podcasting, and multiple stage roles, marking a multifaceted legacy.
Bowen Yang’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Saturday Night Live, but his influence and friendships-most notably with Ariana Grande-continue to resonate with fans and colleagues alike.
