Live from New York, it’s the most-watched episode of “SNL” in more than a year.
Bowen Yang’s final episode of the NBC sketch show on Sunday got the highest ratings since October 2024, Variety reported Wednesday.
The comedian’s swan song on Saturday drew in 5.4 million viewers, just shy of the 5.6 million viewers who tuned in to watch Ariana Grande host last year.
The Grammy-winning singer hosted Saturday’s episode as well with Cher as the musical guest, and more viewers tuned in than had all season long.
Yang had an emotional farewell sketch with Grande, who was also his “Wicked” co-star, as the duo sang a tearful rendition of “Please Come Home For Christmas.”
In Yang’s final sketch, where he appeared in character as a Delta airline worker making eggnog on his final day on the job, he gushed, “I just feel so lucky that I ever got to work here and I just wanted to enjoy it a little bit longer, especially the people.”
The 35-year-old began his time on “SNL” in 2018 as a writer, making history in 2019 as the series’ first Asian cast member.
His Season 51 exit was an abrupt shock that went against longtime “SNL” boss Lorne Michaels’ wishes.
“Everyone tried to get Bowen to stay, from Lorne down,” a source told Page Six on Tuesday. “But he just made up his mind, he was over it. He was not happy, you could tell.”
In September, The Post reported that Yang intended to leave at the beginning of the current season, which premiered in October.
“Bowen was telling friends that it was his time. He wanted to move on and was even planning to spend time in Japan,” a source told The Post.
“People on the show told him to take the summer to think it over, but it looked like he was leaving and everyone was just waiting for the announcement,” the insider added. “He talked to Lorne and [NBC] threw a ton of money at him.”
The Post confirmed Yang’s eventual departure one day before his exit.
“This has come out of the blue, but is no surprise,” an insider told The Post.
“Bowen actually only signed up to December, but we all thought he would stay,” another source said. “No one thought he would go 1766680753.”
Page Six heard Yang was upset over “SNL” cutting cast member Heidi Gardner after eight years.
Her departure was part of a bloodbath that took place in August as several of the show’s stars were cut, including Gardner, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow.
Ego Nwodim also left prior to Season 51.
Additionally, an industry source told Page Six that Yang was “overcommitted” with work outside of “SNL.”
The actor, notably, co-hosts the hit podcast “Las Culturistas” with Matt Rogers and has a slate of TV and film projects lined up, including an upcoming animated “Cat and the Hat” film with fellow alum Bill Hader.
“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 taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile,” Yang wrote via Instagram on Saturday.
“i’m grateful for every minute of my time there. i learned about myself (bad with wigs),” he added. “i learned about others (generous, vulnerable, hot). i learned that human error can be nothing but correct.
“Thank you to lorne for the job,” Yang concluded. “for the standard. and for bringing everyone at work together. They all care deeply about people in the room, any room, enjoying themselves. i can’t believe i was ever included in that.”
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