Overview
- The Dec. 20 episode closed with a Delta lounge sketch in which Yang became emotional while dueting "Please Come Home for Christmas" with Ariana Grande before Cher joined onstage.
- Earlier that day, Yang confirmed his departure in an Instagram note thanking colleagues and Lorne Michaels and calling Grande’s send-off the “dreamiest” he could imagine.
- Hosted by Grande with Cher as musical guest, the year-end broadcast staged an on-air goodbye and included Aidy Bryant’s surprise return to reprise the Trend Forecasters on Weekend Update.
- The Emmy-nominated performer, who joined SNL as a writer in 2018 and as a cast member in 2019, exits during a wider season shakeup that has also seen Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim leave.
- Saturday Night Live returns Jan. 17, 2026, with Finn Wolfhard hosting and A$AP Rocky as musical guest after the winter hiatus.