Overview
- Yang’s final appearance aired Dec. 20 and culminated in a “Delta Lounge” sketch where he grew visibly emotional while dueting “Please Come Home for Christmas.”
- Ariana Grande hosted the episode, performed with Yang in the monologue and the finale, and helped anchor the farewell tone of the night.
- Cher served as musical guest and appeared in the closing sketch as Yang’s boss, offering a warm onstage moment as the trio embraced.
- Aidy Bryant made a surprise return on Weekend Update to reunite with Yang for their fan-favorite Trend Forecasters segment.
- Yang joined SNL as a writer in 2018 and became the show’s first Chinese American cast member in 2019, earning five Emmy nominations, and his uncommon midseason departure comes as SNL announces a Jan. 17, 2026 return with Finn Wolfhard and A$AP Rocky.