According to CNN, Bowen Yang (Fire Island, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens) officially closed out his run on Saturday Night Live during the show’s Christmas episode, marking his departure midway through Season 51. The longtime cast member confirmed earlier in the day via social media that the episode would be his last, ending a seven-year tenure with the NBC sketch comedy institution.
Yang first joined SNL in 2018 as a writer before being promoted to on-air performer the following year. Over time, he emerged as one of the show’s most distinctive voices, earning five Primetime Emmy nominations one for writing and four for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, per CNN. His memorable characters ranged from the viral Moo Deng the baby hippo to heightened celebrity impressions, helping connect the show with a new generation of viewers.
As reported by CNN, Yang’s final episode featured a farewell sketch clearly designed as a sendoff. In the segment, Yang played a Delta Sky Club employee working his final shift on Christmas Eve, complete with a broken eggnog machine. As fellow cast members appeared as holiday travelers, the sketch gradually revealed itself as a tribute to Yang’s time on the show.
As stated by CNN, during the sketch, Yang jokingly referenced recent celebrity visitors before growing emotional. “This is my last shift. It’s sad. I’m gonna miss everything about this place,” he said, his voice cracking. The moment became even more poignant when the night’s host Ariana Grande (Wicked, Victorious) appeared as his character’s wife, later joined by musical guest Cher (Moonstruck, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour). The trio performed a rendition of The Eagles’ “Please Come Home for Christmas,” underscoring the farewell.
CNN reported that Yang briefly broke down during the performance, expressing gratitude for his experience. “I just feel so lucky that I ever got to work here,” he said, thanking the cast and crew he worked with throughout his time on the show.
According to CNN, Yang’s exit follows several other cast departures announced ahead of Season 51, including Devon Walker (Abbott Elementary, The Afterparty), Ego Nwodim (Mr. Mayor, Crashing), Heidi Gardner (Life of the Party, SuperMansion), and Emil Wakim (Ramy, Deli Boys).
Saturday Night Live is set to return with a new episode on January 17, 2026, hosted by Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) with musical guest A$AP Rocky (Dope, Testing), per CNN.