Overview
- The Dec. 20 episode served as Yang’s final show, with Ariana Grande hosting and Cher as musical guest on season 51’s ninth broadcast.
- Yang closed the night in a self-referential Delta Lounge sketch, tearing up during “Please Come Home for Christmas” as Grande and Cher embraced him.
- He confirmed his exit hours before airtime in a grateful Instagram note after Variety first reported the news on Dec. 19.
- Yang joined SNL as a writer in 2018, moved to the cast in 2019, and earned multiple Emmy nominations during a seven-year run.
- SNL is on winter break and is scheduled to return Jan. 17, 2026, with Finn Wolfhard hosting and A$AP Rocky as musical guest, following broader season 51 cast turnover.