NEED TO KNOW
Live from Studio 8H — it’s Ariana Grande and Cher!
Saturday Night Live aired the ninth episode of season 51 on Dec. 20, with Grande, 32, serving as host and Cher, 79, performing as the musical guest.
During the late-night comedy sketch series, Grande portrayed the wife of a Delta One Lounge employee (Bowen Yang) working his final shift and recreated a scene from the festive movie Home Alone.
Cher, meanwhile, performed “DJ Play A Christmas Song” as well as “Run Rudolph Run” from her 2023 Christmas album.
Here, see the best, worst and most oops moments in our roundup of the highs, lows and yikes of the latest episode of SNL.
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Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Best: Ariana Grande Monologue
Ariana Grande joked, “When something is perfect, it doesn’t need a sequel,” as she kicked off the show, referring to her previous time on SNL as well as her movies, Wicked: Part One and Wicked: For Good.
She then spoofed Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas,” joined by Yang, 35.
“What do I get for Christmas for this dude?” Grande sang as cast members offered their suggestions.
Viewers gushed in YouTube’s comment section that the monologue was “perfect” and the song would be replayed throughout the holidays.
“Ariana is so talented she make such a good cast member very festive monologue love it,” one person wrote.
“You best believe this version is what I’m blasting all Christmas!!” said another.
Worst: Delta Lounge
Bowen Yang concluded his seven-year run as an SNL cast member with an emotional final sketch that featured Grande and Cher.
Starring as a Delta One Lounge employee working his final shift, Yang left viewers crying with his heartfelt words spoken while appearing to hold back tears.
“This place will always be home, but ah, it’s time to go,” he concluded before receiving a kiss from Grande, who played his elderly wife.
Sad to see Yang leave the comedy sketch series, viewers focused on saying their goodbyes rather than the tear-jerking sketch.
“I got so emotional watching Bowen Yang final performance & sketch on SNL! Ariana Grande & Cher gave him the beautiful sendoff he deserves!” one person commented.
“Watching this and literally crying. Such a beautiful send off,” said another.
“Sobbing thats how you say goodbye, beautiful send off, thank you, Bowen, for all the wonderful memories, hope you have a bright future 🥺😭 we really gonna miss your presence and humor,” a third wrote.
Oops: Cher: “DJ Play A Christmas Song” (Live)
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Several viewers accused Cher of lip-syncing as she performed two songs from her 2023 Christmas album: “DJ Play A Christmas Song” and “Run Rudolph Run.”
Despite the claims that she wasn’t singing live, the majority of people were wowed by her musical guest appearance.
“I don’t mind the lip synching cuz she actually can sing and do whatever she wants at this point,” one viewer commented on YouTube.
“It’s f——Cher! You get lip syncing and fierce looks! 🙂 love herrrrrr,” said another person.
“Omg, the icon of icons, who can do NO wrong, even when she lip syncs! Who cares? And Cher’s dancers love the way they are vibing!!!” a third chimed in.
Saturday Night Live airs weekends on NBC.
