Chloe Fineman, Aidy Bryant And More Pay Tribute After Bowen Yang’s Final SNL Episode (And I’m Not Crying, You Are)

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If you watched Bowen Yang’s last episode of Saturday Night Live (available on Peacock) and didn’t get a little teary-eyed, I’m impressed! For most of us, saying goodbye was tough, and seeing the cast share their heartfelt reactions just made it worse. Chloe Fineman, Aidy Bryant, and others shared tributes after the Wicked star’s final SNL appearance, and honestly, I’m the one with tears in my eyes, not you!

Yang’s mid-season departure really does feel like the end of a special era at SNL. Over the past few seasons, he turned into one of the show’s most reliable scene-stealers — whether he was playing a chaotic pop culture gremlin, grounding a sketch with deadpan confidence, or making “Weekend Update” feel even more unhinged in the best way. So of course his past and present castmates didn’t let him slip out quietly. One of the sweetest tributes came from Chloe Fineman, who shared a backstage Instagram photo of herself hugging the “Iceberg that sank the Titanic” sketch performer. In the caption (which you can read for yourself below), she tagged the Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld voice star and said she was “so endlessly proud” of him, calling it a “BRAVO,” while also noting the pics were from their first episode together.

A post shared by Chloe Fineman (@chloeiscrazy)

A photo posted by on

Kenan Thompson, a fellow cast member, was quick to respond in the comments. He wrote on Fineman’s post:

❤️❤️❤️❤️ but also 😢😢😢😢

Fans weren’t just touched by that moment. Aidy Bryant made a surprise return to reunite with Bowen Yang as their popular “Trend Forecasters” during Weekend Update. It had been since 2022 since the pair last appeared as the characters, and their return was a real treat for dedicated viewers.

Bryant made tribute to their onscreen reunion, posting to her Instagram Stories, letting those she cares about know: “WILL TRAVEL FOR FRIENDS.” Which she did, as Bryant appeared alongside the beloved “Master of the Bus” actor in his final episode.

And then there’s Sarah Sherman, who took a slightly different but equally perfect approach. She posted a photo to her Instagram Stories of herself and Yang in the SNL offices, looking like they were mid-karaoke session, microphones in hand, zero caption attached. No explanation needed. If you know their chaotic on-screen chemistry, the image pretty much speaks for itself.

The truly emotional moment happened later with a sketch set in an airport. Yang played an employee on his last shift as the station closed down. While talking about wanting to finish strong and how much he appreciated his time there, his voice broke and he started to cry.

You can watch Saturday Night Live on Peacock, starting at just $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. For an even better experience, Peacock Premium or Premium Plus plans offer ad-free viewing and the ability to download shows and movies to watch without an internet connection. Check out the deal here!

Instead of the typical send-off you see on Saturday Night Live, this sketch felt incredibly personal for Bowen Yang. Seriously, they brought out Cher – a total idol of his! She was so warm and funny with him, and then she, along with Ariana Grande, launched into ‘Please Come Home for Christmas.’ It was almost painful to watch Yang try to keep it together, but in the most beautifully moving way. It wasn’t just a goodbye, it was a really special moment crafted just for him.

Bowen Yang’s last show on SNL concludes a fantastic chapter, but the outpouring of support suggests everyone is excited to see what he does next. And, just to be clear, I’m not the one tearing up – you are!

If you didn’t get a chance to watch the heartfelt farewell episode of the popular SNL cast member, it’s now available to stream on Peacock.

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2025-12-22 18:38