Bowen Yang, a longtime cast member of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ made an emotional final appearance on the show’s Christmas episode, bidding farewell with help from host Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher. In a tearful sketch, Yang played a retiring airport lounge worker serving eggnog on Christmas Eve, singing ‘Please Come Home for Christmas’ alongside Grande and Cher, which moved him to tears by the end.
Yang joined ‘SNL’ as a writer in 2018, became a featured player the following season, and was promoted to the main cast two seasons later, earning five Emmy nominations during his seven-season run. His departure was confirmed just before the December 20 episode, surprising fans who had grown to love his characters, such as the Titanic iceberg on ‘Weekend Update’ and impersonations of figures like George Santos and JD Vance.
The mid-season exit follows a major cast turnover earlier this year, with several popular members like Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim leaving ahead of Season 51. Yang had publicly considered leaving but was persuaded to stay by show creator Lorne Michaels, who assured him he had more to offer. In an Instagram post after the show, 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.’
Throughout the episode, Yang appeared in multiple sketches with Grande, including the opening monologue where they parodied ‘All I Want for Christmas is You,’ and a pre-recorded ‘Home Alone’ bit. In the final sketch, he shared a moment with Kenan Thompson, playfully spraying him with eggnog, and delivered lines about moving on, saying, ‘I just wanted to enjoy it for a little longer.’
Beyond ‘SNL,’ Yang co-hosts the pop culture podcast ‘Las Culturistas’ with Matt Rogers and has starred in films like ‘Fire Island,’ ‘Dicks: The Musical,’ and the upcoming ‘Wicked.’ In an October interview with Esquire, he expressed that work is not his primary focus anymore, preferring time with friends and not being ‘caged by it,’ while also addressing how his identity is often oversimplified in discussions of his comedy.
Yang’s farewell adds to the ongoing changes at ‘SNL,’ highlighting the show’s ability to evolve while honoring its veterans. His impact on representation for queer and Asian communities in mainstream comedy has been significant, and his departure marks a transition for both him and the series. Fans can look forward to his continued work in entertainment, including the return of the ‘Las Culturista Culture Awards’ on Bravo next year.
In his final ‘Weekend Update’ appearance with former cast member Aidy Bryant, Yang offered holiday trend tips, showcasing his comedic versatility. As he moves on, Yang leaves behind a legacy of laughter and heartfelt moments, with Grande’s words echoing the sentiment of many: ‘We love you so much.’
