Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | TV | December 21, 2025
Cold Open — James Austin Johnson’s Trump impression gets the opening all to himself to recount the week’s political events. It’s the holidays, man. We don’t deserve this. I cannot stand this recurring character anymore. It’s time to retire him. Bring on Ariana Grande! (Watch Here) (Score: 3.5 out of 10)
Ariana Grande Monologue — Ariana Grande is really one of the best at this. Here, she (later joined by Bowen and the rest of the cast) does a marvelous rendition of “All I Want for Christmas” about having to buy Christmas gifts for random people they barely know. It’s fantastic. (Score: 8.5 out of 10)
Elf on the Shelf Support Group — These poor elves on a shelf have been through a lot, especially the poor Elf played by Ariana, whose family got a cat this season. (Score: 7 out of 10)
Home Alone — Earlier this year, I said that Ashley Padilla reminded me of Catherine O’Hara, and here she is playing the Catherine O’Hara part in a classic Christmas SNL sketch, and the Mat sketch of the year. I won’t spoil it, but you have to watch. (Score: 10 out of 10)
And That’s Dance! — Ariana and Marcello play dance instructors, and, well, you just have to watch. Glory be, a good SNL episode. (Score: 7.5 out of 10)
Random Duet Christmas Spectacular — Christmas songs sang by random famous duets, and Benson Boone crashing out occasionally. Sublime. (Score: 8 out of 10)
Black Santa — Kenan is in court where he’s been tried for burglary. He claims he’s Black Santa Claus, and he has a rendition of Cher’s “Believe” to prove it. Just amazing energy tonight. (Score: 7 out of 10)
Weekend Update — OK political jokes (watch here), and then Kam Patterson plays Michael Che’s 12-year-old nephew, who has some very explicit threats for Santa if he doesn’t get what he wants for Christmas this year (watch here). The joke swap this year, meanwhile, is one-sided: Only Colin delivers jokes that Che wrote, and they are brutal. Finally, Bowen Yang makes his final appearance at the “Update” desk with Aidy Bryant to discuss this year’s Christmas trends. (Score: 7.5 out of 10)
Love Is Blind Reunion — The worst sketch of the night would’ve been one of the better ones on most episodes this season. Here, during the “Love is Blind” reunion, a woman discovers that the man she fell in love with is … the Grinch. (Watch Here) (Score: 5 out of 10)
Delta Lounge — Bowen Yang gets a proper send-off in a tearful duet appropriately enough with Ariana Grande and a special appearance from Cher. I’m not crying! YOU’RE CRYING. (Score: 10 out of 10)
Verdict: Laughter, tears, exploding heads. It’s as close to a perfect episode of SNL as it gets.
