Ariana Grande Spreads Holiday Cheer at Studio 8H in SNL’s Midseason Finale
Ariana Grande returned for her third hosting stint on Saturday Night Live, infusing Studio 8H with festive spirit and leaving Season 51 on a high note. As a reliable guest, Grande not only showcased her talent but also took on the significant role of delivering a proper send-off for her friend and Wicked co-star Bowen Yang.
Throughout the night, Grande demonstrated her versatility as a host, engaging in various sketches and performances. She confidently donned outrageous costumes and executed impressions with humor and flair, establishing her as a standout in the show’s lineup.
Opening the episode with a spot-on monologue, Grande addressed a familiar sketch with a humorous jab. When asked about revisiting older sketches, she quipped, “When something is perfect, it doesn’t need a sequel … What? That’s why I just finished filming Meet the Parents 4.” The Grammy-winning artist also performed a parody of “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” featuring lines about the pressure of gift-giving, humorously lamenting the challenges of shopping for her cousin’s boyfriend.
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The night also included a comedic sketch reminiscent of her fan-favorite “Castrati.” Grande reprised this role to introduce musical guest Cher. Another highlight, “Elf on the Shelf Support Group,” combined poignant characters with sharp comedic timing. In the sketch, Grande’s character, Twinkle Butter, tragically revealed she had been mauled by a new house cat, prompting one participant to lament about elves being posed in ways that are less than jolly.
A humorous twist on Home Alone featured Grande as Kevin McCallister, whose festive reunion with relatives quickly devolved into chaos when they accidentally triggered forgotten traps. Yang played a stand-in for Kieran Culkin, facing a nightmarish fate as relatives horrified him with their mishaps.
In another sketch, “Dancing 101,” Grande and Marcello Hernández portrayed incompetent dance instructors whose bizarre teaching methods elicited one of the night’s funniest moments. As Grande highlighted her decision not to be vaccinated, her deadpan delivery elicited laughter from the students questioning her choices in a delightfully absurd manner.
A parody of Love Is Blind showcased Grande as a bewildered bride-to-be, discovering her fiancé is literally the Grinch. The sketch humorously explored their unconventional romance, even predicting their future family, highlighted by a sonogram reveal and a student’s hilarious query about “Baby Grinch.”
Weekend Update featured a lively array of topical humor, including a reunion between Aidy Bryant and Yang. Co-anchor Colin Jost provided his take on current events, joking about Epstein and Trump while cleverly integrating personal anecdotes. He also introduced a segment with rookie Kam Patterson, who brought youthful humor as he feigned innocence on the naughty list.
The annual Christmas Joke Swap followed, although Jost appeared to be out of the loop, leading to Che taking playful jabs at fellow cast members. Among the jokes delivered, Jost shared an amusing take on menopause, humorously referencing his wife’s experiences while delivering clever commentary on societal themes.
Concluding the episode, a heartfelt sketch featuring Yang as a retiring crew member provided a poignant tribute, affirming his status as a beloved cast member during his time on the show.
