SNL's Ratings Soar with Ariana Grande, Cher, and Bowen Yang: A Recap of the Hit Episode
The recent episode of Saturday Night Live featuring host Ariana Grande, musical guest Cher, and departing cast member Bowen Yang was a huge hit in terms of ratings. The show, which aired on Dec. 20, attracted 5.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode in over a year. The last episode to surpass this viewership was in November of 2024 when John Mulaney hosted and drew in 6.8 million viewers.
It seems that having Ariana Grande as the host alongside a female Rock & Roll Hall of Famer as the musical guest is a winning combination for SNL. Grande's previous hosting stint in October 2024 with a performance by Stevie Nicks was also a highly-watched episode, marking a trend of successful pairings on the show.
During the Dec. 20 episode, Grande and Cher joined Bowen Yang in a farewell sketch where Yang played a Delta airport lounge employee on his final shift. Grande took on the role of his wife, while Cher played his boss. The trio performed "Please Come Home for Christmas," and Yang emotionally expressed his gratitude for his time on the show, saying, "I just feel so lucky that I ever got to work here."
In conclusion, the combination of Ariana Grande, Cher, and Bowen Yang on the recent episode of Saturday Night Live proved to be a ratings winner, drawing in a large audience and creating memorable moments for fans of the show.