Bowen Yang’s Final SNL Sketch Sends Fans Flying Home With Tears
- Je-Ree
- Dec 21, 2025
- 2 min read
When Saturday Night Live aired its 2025 Christmas episode, fans weren’t just tuning in for the holiday laughs, they were witnessing the end of an era. Bowen Yang, the Emmy-nominated comedian who’s spent seven seasons dazzling audiences with his sharp wit and fearless characters, delivered a farewell sketch that was equal parts hilarious, heartfelt and undeniably holiday chaos.
The sketch opened in a Delta One airport lounge, where Yang’s character, Ed, was clocking his final shift. The setting was perfect: a world of over-the-top holiday kitsch, a slightly misbehaving eggnog machine and enough self-aware comedy to remind viewers why Bowen’s been such a standout on SNL. It was a cheeky metaphor for saying goodbye to the show itself.
The real sparkle arrived when host Ariana Grande, also Yang’s co-star in Wicked, popped in as Ed’s devoted wife. Their chemistry was both comedic and touching, with playful jabs (“Some of it was great… some of it was rotten”) giving way to a bittersweet duet of Please Come Home for Christmas. The audience laughed, swooned and teared up all within the same sketch, a tricky balancing act that Yang pulled off effortlessly.
Then came the icing on the eggnog-soaked cake: Cher, the legendary icon, making a surprise appearance as Ed’s CEO-boss. With a single wink-and-nod line about being “perfect” just the way he is, Cher delivered a moment that was funny, affirming and packed with emotional resonance, perfectly capturing the essence of Bowen Yang’s SNL tenure.
As the sketch wound down, Yang’s performance moved from comic brilliance to raw emotion. Hugging castmates, spraying eggnog and acknowledging the audience with gratitude, he transformed a farewell gag into a memorable, heartwarming tribute to his time on the show.
Bowen Yang’s final SNL sketch wasn’t just a goodbye, it was a reminder of why he became a fan favorite: fearless, witty, inclusive, and unapologetically himself. If this send-off is any indication, whatever comes next for Yang will be just as bold, hilarious, and unforgettable.
Watch below and let us know your thoughts!
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