The final Saturday Night Live episode of 2025 delivered a blockbuster send-off, blending musical spectacle with poignant farewells. Ariana Grande returned to host for the third time, while pop icon Cher took the stage as musical guest. The night was marked by the emotional departure of long-time cast member Bowen Yang after a seven-year run.
A Star-Studded Opening and Sketch Highlights
The show opened with a now-familiar Donald Trump cold address, played by James Austin Johnson. The sketch leaned into the president's purported cognitive decline, featuring rambling claims about renaming the Kennedy Center and a solo invasion of "Venezuelar." While humorous, the segment notably avoided any mention of Trump's recent controversial remarks about the murder of Rob and Michele Reiner.
Grande's monologue quickly showcased her vocal talents, featuring a festive song about Christmas gift dilemmas, set to the tune of Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You. She was joined by cast members suggesting notoriously bad presents, including her Wicked co-star Bowen Yang.
Sketch highlights included a darkly comic Elf on the Shelf support group, where the silent Christmas helpers shared their traumatic experiences. Another standout saw Grande stepping into the role of Kevin McCallister for a gruesomely hilarious alternate ending to Home Alone, complete with Colin Jost as bully brother Buzz.
Musical Numbers and a Memorable Weekend Update
The Peacock’s Random Duet Christmas Spectacular sketch was a highlight, parodying the classic Bowie-Crosby duet by pairing unlikely musical legends. Grande impressed with her spot-on impersonations of Katy Perry and Celine Dion, while James Austin Johnson stole the show with his turns as Bob Dylan and Andrea Bocelli.
Weekend Update featured strong segments, including Michael Che's intimidating 12-year-old nephew Tyson (Kam Patterson) threatening Santa Claus. The co-anchors' annual tradition of exchanging brutal, unseen jokes returned with a vicious twist, leaving Colin Jost to deliver lines about slavery and his wife Scarlett Johansson.
Bowen Yang made his final cast member appearance at the Update desk alongside Aidy Bryant as the Trend Forecasters, declaring what was "In" and "Out" for the season—with Michael Che himself landing on the "Out" list.
Farewells and Final Performances
The episode's emotional core was Bowen Yang's departure. In a clever meta-sketch, he played a Delta Sky Club server finishing his last shift, fondly reminiscing before breaking into Please Come Home for Christmas alongside Grande and Cher. The send-off was intensely sentimental, marking the end of his six-year on-screen tenure.
Cher's performances were a mixed bag. Her first number, a Christmas dance song, was marred by obvious lip-syncing and heavy autotune. Her second, a cover of Run, Run Rudolph, was more convincing, though many felt a missed opportunity for a duet with Grande.
The night concluded with a tribute card to the late director Rob Reiner, who hosted SNL's third-ever episode in 1975. The 2025 finale certainly had a 'big show' feel, powered by its mega-watt host, a legendary musical guest, and a heartfelt goodbye to a beloved cast member. For an episode steeped in musical theatre and queer culture, its blend of camp and genuine emotion felt fitting, if occasionally uneven.
