Saturday Night Live
Ariana Grande & Cher
December 20, 2025
Ariana Grande returned to host Saturday Night Live for the third time, tasked with helming what is traditionally one of the best episodes of the year: the holiday episode. Recent previous hosts include SNL alums and royalty, including: Kate McKinnon, Martin Short and Steve Martin, Paul Rudd and Eddie Murphy, and so choosing her to host this episode suggests a degree of trust and faith SNL and Lorne Michaels have in Grande to deliver. On top of all that pressure, this episode was also now-legendary cast member Bowen Yang’s final show. So not only did Grande have to carry the Christmas episode, it also fell to her to usher Yang’s goodbye. And I’m happy to report she pulled it off.
This episode was easily the consistently funniest of the season so far. Grande was her delightful elfin self, leaning into whatever ridiculous task she was given, while also providing emotional support for Bowen’s final bow. All in all, a terrific episode, and she’ll be back for her Five-Timers jacket in no time.
