Watch Bowen Yang tear up in final ‘SNL’ sketch: “I just feel so lucky”
After announcing a surprise mid-season exit, Saturday Night Live superstar Bowen Yang teared up during his final sketch on the late-night show.
It was announced on December 19th that the star, who has become a key member of the cast over the last few years, would be exiting the show in the middle of the season, with his last episode set to take place on December 20th.
Yang eventually addressed the news via social media, writing, “I loved working at SNL, and most of all, I loved the people. I was there at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile, but working at 30 Rock [sic] taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile.”
The Christmas special, hosted by Yang’s Wicked co-star Ariana Grande, was full of festive sketches and a musical appearance from Cher.
Yang’s final sketch saw him working his final shift as an airport employee, giving an emotional goodbye in the form of song and dialogue. Grande is also in the sketch, playing Yang’s wife, Rhonda, who wants him home for Christmas.
“I’m closing my station; this is my last shift. I will miss everything about this place; the way it smells, the celebrities who come through,” he mused.
“I’m so proud of you… All of the eggnog you’ve made over the years!” Grande’s character quipped, continuing with the conceit that Yang provided eggnog for passengers coming through the airport. “Some of it was great, some of it was rotten,” she reflected, while Yang finished, “And a lot of it got cut!”
When Grande expresses her surprise that he is retiring, Yang said, “I just wanted to go out on top,” before Grande sparred, “Oh, everyone knows you’re a bottom, honey.”
Tearing up in an embrace with Grande, Yang then shared, “Oh, Rhonda, I should have come home earlier. I just feel so lucky I ever got to work here. And I just wanted to enjoy it for a little bit longer. Especially the people; I’ve loved every single person who worked here, because they’ve done so much for me, especially my boss.”
Cher then appears as the CEO of the eggnog company; when Yang asks for feedback on his work over the years, she ended on a jovial note, joking, “Everyone thought you were a little bit too gay.”
Throughout the sketch, the stars sing a sweet rendition of ‘Bells Will Be Ringing (Please Come Home for Christmas)’.
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