Saturday Night Live closed out 2025 with plenty of star power, musical flourishes, and one tearful goodbye that left viewers divided.
Ariana Grande returned for her third hosting stint, bringing Broadway energy and vocal chops to Studio 8H.
Meanwhile, cast member Bowen Yang bid farewell after seven years with an emotional sendoff that sparked debate about whether it went too far.
Music legend Cher served as musical guest, delivering performances that became instantly memorable—though not always for reasons intended.
Trump Opens with Cognitive Decline on Full Display
James Austin Johnson kicked off the night portraying Donald Trump in a national address warning Americans about “arctic immigrants coming into our homes through our chimneys.”
Johnson’s characterization leaned heavily into depicting cognitive decline, with rambling tangents about renaming facilities, invading “Venezuelar” Metal Gear Solid-style, and upcoming “Patriot Games.”
They’re saying, Sir, you’re doing Hunger Games and you know how that book ends, which of course I don’t because BOOK!
While Johnson’s performance landed comedically, critics noted SNL’s glaring omission of Trump’s recent controversial remarks about Rob and Michele Reiner. Given Reiner’s history hosting the show’s third-ever episode in 1975, the silence felt particularly pointed.
Grande Brings Vocal Talent but Mixed Laughs
Grande’s monologue quickly transformed into a musical number set to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” featuring cast members—including departing member Yang—suggesting terrible gift ideas.
Suggestions ranged from Cameo videos to women’s Crocs to “funny socks for dudes with foot fetishes.”
Elf Support Group Delivers Dark Comedy
A North Pole support group for traumatized Elf on the Shelf participants provided genuinely dark moments, with silent helpers discussing getting lost in couch cushions and being posed in sexually explicit positions.
Grande scored solid laughs crying gumdrop tears while lamenting her inability to die. Squeaky voice effects carried much of the humor.
Home Alone Parody Goes Grotesque
Grande transformed into Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McCallister for a bloody reimagining where forgotten booby traps turn family reunion into massacre.
Family members get beheaded, impaled, and engulfed in flames one-by-one. But the biggest laughs came from seeing diminutive Grande made into Culkin’s spitting image, plus Colin Jost appearing as bully brother Buzz.
Celebrity Impressions Showcase Vocal Range
Random Duet Christmas Spectacular attempted recreating the iconic 1977 David Bowie-Bing Crosby moment with unlikely pairings.
Grande delivered spot-on impressions as Katy Perry and Celine Dion, though surprisingly only appeared in two of multiple celebrity mashups.
Johnson stole the segment playing Bob Dylan, indie-rocker Cameron Winter, and Andrea Bocelli—the latter revealing impressive singing ability beyond comedy chops.
Weekend Update Delivers Annual Cruelty
Michael Che and Colin Jost’s tradition of writing jokes for each other sight-unseen returned with extra viciousness.
Che completely blindsided Jost, who believed they’d skipped the bit this year. Jost endured brutal material about slavery, Catholic abuse, wife Scarlett Johansson approaching menopause, and plans to leave her for Jenna Ortega.
Che’s nephew Tyson (Kam Patterson) addressed Santa Claus directly with threats.
This year, I’m getting everything I want. Because on Christmas Day, I’m coming to your house, I’m gonna beat your ass and I’m gonna get what’s mine.
Patterson expertly switched between fake innocence and gangster menace.
Cher’s Performance Becomes Instant Meme
Music legend Cher’s first performance featured heavy autotune and obvious lip-synching that became immediately notable.
Her second number—a cover of “Run, Run Rudolph”—appeared more authentic, or at least featured more convincing vocal work. Critics noted missed opportunity for Grande-Cher duet given both performers’ Broadway backgrounds.
Yang’s Goodbye Sparks Debate
Bowen Yang concluded his SNL tenure with elaborate farewell playing Delta Sky Club server finishing final shift.
He sang “Please Come Home for Christmas” alongside Grande and Cher while cast members walked on offering goodbyes. Yang broke down crying by segment’s end.
The overly sentimental sendoff raised eyebrows, with observers questioning why Yang received treatment rarely afforded departing cast members. While Yang represents SNL’s biggest star since Kate McKinnon—with popular podcast and Wicked film appearances—some found the goodbye disproportionate to his seven-year tenure.
A tribute card for Rob Reiner preceded curtain call, acknowledging the director’s passing.
Big Show Energy Closes Tumultuous Year
This year-end episode delivered mega-star hosting, cast member farewell, returning talent, and numerous musical numbers including one destined for viral infamy.
For episode grounded in musical theater and queer culture, genuine camp felt entirely appropriate—even when unintentional.
Yang’s absence will certainly register, though likely won’t fundamentally alter show dynamics. His departure marks end of era without necessarily creating vacuum requiring immediate filling.
Saturday Night Live returns in 2026 with new hosts, new challenges, and inevitably, new cast members stepping into spotlight.