Bowen Yang’s final episode of Saturday Night Live was a tear-jerking, musical send-off that saw the former writer-turned-cast member step onto the stage with Ariana Grande and Cher for a heartfelt farewell.
## The Final Sketch
In the closing sketch, Yang played a retiring airport lounge worker who was on his last shift on Christmas Eve. He served eggnog to travelers, sang “Please Come Home for Christmas,” and was joined by host Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher. The three performed together, hugged, and sang, while Yang sprayed Kenan Thompson with eggnog in a playful moment. The sketch also gave him a chance to deliver lines about moving on, including the emotional line, “I just wanted to enjoy it for a little longer.”
## A Night of Tributes
After the sketch, the show closed with a brief photo tribute to the late director Rob Reiner and a curtain call that brought the entire cast together. Grande expressed her affection for Yang, telling him, “We love you so much.” The applause that followed was loud and appreciative of Yang’s presence throughout the episode.
## Career Highlights
Yang joined Saturday Night Live as a writer in 2018, became a featured player the next season, and was promoted to the main cast two seasons later. Over the years he earned five Emmy nominations and became a fan favorite. He has also co-hosted the pop-culture podcast “Las Culturistas” with Matt Rogers, appeared in the Broadway productions of “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” as Pfannee, co-starred in the remade “The Wedding Banquet” this year, and had roles in “Dicks: The Musical” (2023), “Fire Island” (2022), and “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens” (2020-2023).
## The Decision to Leave
Word of Yang’s departure came after a major exodus of cast members last summer, which included Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and John Higgins. Yang had publicly discussed the idea with NBC’s creator Lorne Michaels in September, and after a vote of confidence from Michaels he had decided to stay at the time. He recalled the conversation: “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,’.”
## Reflections and Gratitude
In an Instagram post, 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 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.”
## Memorable Bits and Final Update
Yang’s time on the show was marked by several iconic moments. He famously portrayed the Titanic iceberg on “Weekend Update,” played George Santos in a sketch with Gina Gershon and Sydney Sweeney, appeared as a gay Oompa-Loompa, and spoofed Vice President JD Vance. His final “Weekend Update” appearance was alongside former cast member Aidy Bryant, where they offered viewers tips on trends for the holidays and the year 2026.
## Personal Insight
In an Oct. 28 interview for Esquire’s cover, Yang addressed the perception that his work is defined by his queer and Asian identities. He 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 that work is no longer the most meaningful thing for him, preferring to spend time with friends and work “every now and then, not being caged by it.”
## Final Words from a Friend
Kristen Wiig, who once hosted SNL, offered Yang advice when he was considering leaving: “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 episode featured a musical farewell with Ariana Grande and Cher, ending with a tribute to Rob Reiner.
– He left after a conversation with Lorne Michaels and a career that spanned writing, performing, and podcasting.
– Yang’s career highlights include five Emmy nominations, iconic sketches on “Weekend Update,” and roles in Broadway and film productions.
Bowen Yang’s departure marks the end of a memorable chapter for Saturday Night Live, but his influence on the show and his fans will continue to resonate long after his final performance.
