Bowen Yang Bids Farewell on ‘SNL’ with Ariana Grande’s Support

Ariana Grande made a memorable return to “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) to support her co-star Bowen Yang, who confirmed his departure from the show. This episode marked Yang’s emotional farewell midway through his eighth season.

Ariana Grande’s Talents Shine

Grande showcased her impressive range of skills during the episode. She kicked off the show with a comedic take on “All I Want for Christmas,” and continued to impress with her mimicry and dancing. Highlights included:

• Portraying an Elf on the Shelf in a support group sketch
• Reimagining Macaulay Culkin’s character in a bloody parody of “Home Alone”
• Playing a judge in a courtroom scene featuring Kenan Thompson as Black Santa Claus
• Impersonating singers Katy Perry and Celine Dion in a Peacock promo

A Fond Farewell for Bowen Yang

Yang’s last appearance on SNL was filled with heartfelt moments. He appeared frequently throughout the show, including a touching goodbye sketch where he portrayed a retiring Delta Sky Club employee. This sketch allowed Yang to reflect on his time with SNL, sharing emotional exchanges with Grande, who played his wife.

In a bittersweet moment, Yang said, “Eggnog is kind of like me — it’s not for everyone, but the people who like it are my kind of people.” Grande responded amusingly, “Oh, everyone knows you’re a bottom,” eliciting laughter from the audience.

Celebrity Impressions and Holiday Fun

As expected, Grande’s episode was rich with celebrity impressions. Current trends in pop culture were humorously critiqued during sketches, particularly the “Weekend Update,” where Yang reunited with former cast member Aidy Bryant to poke fun at holiday staples.

Musical Guest Cher

The musical guest for the night was Cher, who performed her holiday tracks “DJ Play a Christmas Song” and “Run Run Rudolph.” Cher also made an appearance in Yang’s farewell sketch, adding to the emotional atmosphere of the night.

Memorable Sketch Moments

Other notable sketches included:

• A parody of the iconic David Bowie and Bing Crosby duet
• A humorous back-and-forth involving holiday gift ideas
• A series of celebrity duets, showcasing Grande’s vocal prowess alongside Johnson

This episode was a fitting tribute to both Grande’s talent and Yang’s contributions to SNL. Grande’s support illustrated true friendship, as she celebrated Yang’s legacy in an unforgettable way.