The Ultimate Recap: 5 Shocking Moments And Emotional Farewell In SNL's Most Recent Episode With Ariana Grande And Cher
The most recent episode of Saturday Night Live, which aired on December 20, 2025, delivered a powerhouse Christmas special that will be remembered for its stellar host, a legendary musical guest, and one of the most emotional cast departures in recent memory. This Season 51, Episode 9 broadcast, hosted by pop icon Ariana Grande with musical guest Cher, served as the final show before the holiday break, leaving fans with a mix of festive cheer and tearful goodbyes. The episode’s high-stakes comedy and heartfelt moments solidified its place as a must-watch, driving immediate conversation across social media and late-night TV chatter.
The broadcast was a masterclass in balancing celebrity star power with the show’s core comedic talent, particularly as the cast navigated a major, mid-season farewell. From the political cold open to the final, poignant sketch, the episode provided a fresh, topical, and unforgettable end to the first half of the season. The unexpected exit of a key player added a layer of genuine drama that transcended the typical sketch comedy format, making the December 20th show a historic benchmark for SNL.
The Most Recent Episode: Host, Musical Guest, and Cast Farewell
The final Saturday Night Live episode of 2025 was a star-studded affair, packed with big names and even bigger moments. The lineup was designed to be a spectacular send-off, but it became far more significant due to a major cast announcement.
- Air Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025 (Season 51, Episode 9)
- Host: Ariana Grande (Her second time hosting and third overall appearance)
- Musical Guest: Cher (The legendary singer’s first appearance as Musical Guest since 1994)
- Major Event: Cast member Bowen Yang’s final episode after a seven-season run.
The combination of Grande’s comedic timing and Cher’s iconic presence created a unique energy. However, the emotional core of the night belonged to Bowen Yang, whose surprise mid-season departure was handled with a rare, sincere send-off that involved the host herself. This was a deviation from the traditional season finale goodbyes, instantly making the episode a talking point for fans and critics alike.
Inside the Best Sketches: From Pop Parody to Emotional Goodbyes
Ariana Grande proved her versatility throughout the night, seamlessly transitioning from singing to sketch comedy. Her performance was a highlight, but the episode’s true genius lay in its balance of political commentary, pop culture parody, and deeply personal moments. The episode successfully leveraged the host's talent and the cast's strengths to deliver a memorable roster of sketches.
Ariana Grande’s Standout Moments and Monologue
Grande’s monologue immediately set the tone for the Christmas episode. Instead of a traditional opening, she performed a clever musical parody that served as a takeoff on Mariah Carey’s classic holiday hit, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." The song was rewritten to reflect her own year in the spotlight, skewering pop culture moments and showcasing her impressive vocal range and self-deprecating humor.
One of the most talked-about sketches of the night, which perfectly utilized Grande's ability to impersonate and sing, was a pre-taped segment that parodied a popular fast-food chain’s holiday-themed commercial. Grande’s flawless impression of a customer service representative trying to upsell Christmas-themed menu items was a viral hit, cementing her comedic chops. Her brief appearance in the Cold Open, a satirical take on the movie Home Alone, also provided a fresh twist on a classic holiday trope.
The End of an Era: Bowen Yang's Emotional Farewell Sketch
The most significant moment of the night was Bowen Yang’s emotional final sketch, a rare mid-season farewell that caught many viewers by surprise. The sketch, titled "The Delta Sky Lounge," featured Yang as "Ed," a weary but philosophical airport lounge worker, alongside Ariana Grande.
The premise involved Ed having a deep, existential conversation with Grande about the nature of travel and goodbyes. As the sketch neared its end, Ed revealed that this was his "last shift," a thinly veiled reference to Yang’s departure. The sketch ended with a genuine, heartfelt hug between Yang and Grande, followed by a standing ovation from the cast and crew, with Yang visibly tearing up as he waved goodbye. This send-off was a pitch-perfect blend of comedy and sincerity, honoring Yang's seven years of incredible contributions to the show.
Topical Authority: Key Cast Members and Relevant Entities
The success of the most recent episode was a testament to the strong ensemble of the Season 51 cast, whose contributions provided the backbone for the night's biggest laughs and most poignant moments. The following entities were crucial to the December 20, 2025, broadcast:
The Season 51 Cast and Key Players
The following individuals were instrumental in the episode, either as main cast members, anchors, or special guests, demonstrating the topical authority of the show in late 2025:
- Host: Ariana Grande
- Musical Guest: Cher
- Departing Cast Member: Bowen Yang
- Weekend Update Anchors: Colin Jost and Michael Che (whose joke about Scarlett Johansson drew significant attention)
- Featured and Repertory Players: Kenan Thompson, Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, Andrew Dismukes, Sarah Sherman, James Austin Johnson, Marcello Hernández, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Ego Nwodim, Emil Wakim, Devon Walker, Tommy Brennan, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.
Cher’s Performance and Fan Reactions
Cher’s highly anticipated return as musical guest was a major draw. She performed a medley of her classic hits and a new single, delivering a powerful and theatrical set. Fan reactions to her performance were mixed, with some praising her enduring stage presence and others questioning the song selections, but her appearance ensured the episode was a major cultural event, bridging generations of SNL viewers.
LSI Keywords and Recurring SNL Entities
The episode also featured several LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords and recurring entities that drive consistent search traffic and topical relevance:
- Weekend Update: The segment remains a staple for political and cultural commentary, with the Che/Jost dynamic stronger than ever.
- Political Cold Open: The "Home Alone" parody served as the political cold open, a consistent feature that targets current events and figures.
- Impressions: James Austin Johnson’s impressions continue to anchor many sketches, demonstrating the show’s reliance on timely political satire.
- Musical Parody: Grande’s monologue was a prime example of a successful musical parody, a format that often goes viral.
- Delta Sky Lounge: The specific setting of Bowen Yang’s farewell sketch became an instant, memorable entity.
- Season 51: The episode marks a key point in the show’s ongoing 51st season.
In conclusion, the most recent Saturday Night Live episode was far more than a simple holiday broadcast. It was a high-water mark for Season 51, successfully blending the star power of Ariana Grande and Cher with a truly emotional, unforgettable farewell to a beloved cast member. The December 20, 2025, show will be revisited by fans for years to come, not just for its holiday cheer, but for the genuine, tearful goodbye that marked the end of an era.
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