The show, broadcast live from New York, is the most-watched episode of “SNL” in more than a year.
Bowen Yang’s final episode of the NBC sketch show on Sunday had its highest ratings since October 2024, Variety reported Wednesday.
The comedian’s swan song on Saturday drew 5.4 million viewers, just shy of the 5.6 million viewers who watched Ariana Grande host last year.
The Grammy-winning singer hosted Saturday’s episode with Cher as the musical guest, which drew more viewers than any other season.
Yang shared a touching farewell sketch with Grande, her Wicked co-star, and the pair tearfully sang “Please Come Home for Christmas.”
In her final sketch, Yang appeared as a Delta Air Lines employee making eggnog on her last day at work, gushing, “I feel so lucky to work here. I just wanted to enjoy the job a little more, especially the people.”
The 35-year-old began appearing on SNL as a writer in 2018 and made history in 2019 as the series’ first Asian cast member.
His departure for Season 51 came as a surprise and against the wishes of longtime SNL boss Lorne Michaels.
“Everyone from Loan on down was trying to keep Bowen,” a source told Page Six on Tuesday. “But he just made up his mind and it was over. You could tell he wasn’t happy.”
In September, the Post reported that Yan intended to leave at the beginning of the season, which begins in October.
“Bowen had told friends it was his turn. He wanted to move on and even planned to spend time in Japan,” a source told the Post.
“The show’s officials told him to think it over over the summer, but it seemed like he was leaving and everyone was waiting for an announcement,” the source added. “He talked to Lorne and (NBC) threw a lot of money at him.”
The newspaper finally confirmed Yang’s resignation the day before he left.
“This is sudden but not surprising,” an insider told the Post.
“Bowen was actually only contracted until December, but we all thought he would stay,” said another source. “No one thought he would go (now).”
Page Six has heard that Yang is upset that “SNL” star Heidi Gardner left after eight years.
Her exit was part of a debacle in August that saw several of the show’s stars exit the show, including Gardner, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow.
Ego Nwodim also left before season 51.
Additionally, industry sources told Page Six that Yang was “overcommitted” to work outside of “SNL.”
Notably, he co-hosts the hit podcast “Las Culturistas” with Matt Rogers and has a number of TV and film projects lined up, including the new animated film “Cat and the Hat” with alumnus Bill Hader.
“I loved working at SNL, and most of all I loved the people. I was there at a time when so many things in the world started to seem pointless, but working on 30 Rock taught me the value of showing up anyway if people think it’s worth it,” Yang wrote on Instagram on Saturday.
“I’m grateful for all the time I spent there. I learned a lot about myself (that I don’t like wigs),” he added. “I learned about other people (generous, vulnerable, passionate). I learned that human error can only be right.
“Thank you, Mr. Lorne, for doing this work,” Yang concluded. “For standards. And to unite everyone in the workplace. They all care so much about the people who are in that room, whatever room they’re in, having fun. I can’t believe I was included in that.”
