Saturday Night Live scored a major ratings win with its December 20 episode — and it came at a big moment for the long‑running show.
According to Variety, the holiday installment — hosted by pop star and Wicked co‑star Ariana Grande with Cher as the musical guest — drew about 5.4 million viewers, making it the most‑watched episode of SNL in over a year.
A High‑Profile Farewell
This episode also marked the final appearance of Bowen Yang as a cast member of Saturday Night Live.
Yang has been a standout performer since joining the show — first as a writer in 2018 and later as a cast member beginning in 2019.
His departure after seven seasons was one of the most talked‑about moments of the season, and the emotional farewell sketch with Grande and Cher brought both laughter and tears.
Why It Drew So Many Viewers
Several factors helped boost the episode’s viewership:
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Star power — Ariana Grande and Cher brought mainstream and music‑fan audiences.
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Seasonal timing — Christmas‑adjacent episodes often attract bigger audiences.
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Yang’s farewell — Fans tuned in to see the beloved cast member’s final performance.
Before this, the highest rated SNL episode of the current season aired on October 4 with Bad Bunny as host and Doja Cat as the musical guest, which drew 4.6 million viewers.
A Milestone Moment
For Bowen Yang, the finale wasn’t just another episode — it was a heartfelt send‑off.
In his farewell sketch, Yang played an airport lounge employee working his last shift, surrounded onstage by collaborators and friends.
Viewers and critics alike praised the mix of humor and emotion.
As SNL heads into the holiday break and toward its next episodes in the New Year, this milestone remains a standout moment for the series — and a testament to Yang’s impact on the show’s legacy.
Season 51 continues in January with new hosts and musical guests, and fans will be watching to see how the show evolves after one of its most memorable finales in recent memory.
