Cher performed “DJ Play A Christmas Song” in the episode as Bowen Yang made his final appearance
Saturday Night Live closed out 2025 with its season 51 Christmas episode, led by returning host Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher, in an instalment that doubled as a farewell for cast member Bowen Yang.
The episode aired on December 20, marking Grande’s third time hosting and Cher’s first musical guest appearance since season 13 outside of the SNL50 celebrations.
The night carried an unexpectedly reflective tone following a difficult week in entertainment news, including the deaths of filmmaker and former SNL host Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. Former cast member Denny Dillon recalled Reiner as being “kind, friendly, relaxed and supportive” during his season one hosting stint, adding, “It is heartbreaking.”
The Cold Open featured James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump delivering a rambling holiday address from the White House. The character boasted about his administration’s achievements, joked about his name being removed from Epstein documents after appearing on buildings, and referenced The Hunger Games, Jeopardy and the Indigo Girls.
Attention soon turned to Bowen Yang’s confirmed departure from the show, which has drawn national attention. Dillon described the news as “a huge loss”, saying, “Such a talent… he was so gracious to me and Gail Matthius at the 50th reunion, then mentioned us on the red carpet. We were both so charmed by him and his respect and generosity of spirit.”
Yang’s final episode positioned him for a celebratory send-off, reflecting his role as a stabilising presence during a transitional period for the cast.
Grande’s monologue mixed humour with music, including a festive parody referencing Mariah Carey, before Yang joined her on stage to sing, drawing a strong audience reaction. The episode leaned heavily into musical sketches, from a Cher-inspired courtroom plea to celebrity duet parodies and a spoofed Home Alone ending featuring Ashley Padilla and Grande.
Cher’s performances anchored the night, while the ensemble-heavy sketches underscored the show’s evolving cast dynamic.
As SNL continues, with Finn Wolfhard and A$AP Rocky set to kick off the 2026 season on January 17, the episode marked a clear transition point for the show heading into next year.
