Cher-ing is caring (CREDIT: NBC/Screenshot)

Jeff “jmunney” Malone watches every new episode of Saturday Night Live and then reviews all the sketches and segments according to a “wacky” theme.

Wow, would you look at that? For the 9th episode of the 51st season of Saturday Night Live, we’ve got Ariana Grande as host and the one and only Cher as musical guest. I appreciate this reality we’re living in. At least this little slice of it.

As this is the last new episode before the 25th, and I’ve been in a particularly festive mood this holiday season, my reviewing gimmick for this episode will consist of saying “Merry Christmas” to whatever aspect of each sketch most deserves it.

A Holiday Message from the President: Merry Christmas to the Indigo Girls, why don’t we.

Ariana Grande’s Monologue: Merry Christmas to musical SNL monologues during the holidays, they often bring a smile to my face.

Elf on the Shelf Support Group: Merry Christmas to that Otto the Minion ornament!

Home Alone: Merry Christmas to some really astute casting of SNL cast members as Home Alone characters.

Dance 101: Merry Christmas to Ariana Grande’s comedic instincts, as evidenced by that line about RFK’s America.

Random Duet Christmas Spectacular: Merry Christmas to screaming, crashing, and Jane Wickline.

Burglary Trial: Merry Christmas to the Spirit of Both!

Cher, “DJ Play a Christmas Song”: Merry Christmas to all the living legends out there.

Weekend Update: The Jokes: Merry Christmas to the Spirit of Taking It Easy on Each Other.
Weekend Update: Tyson (Michael Che’s Nephew): Merry Christmas to counting with your fingers. It never goes out of style, I guess.
Weekend Update: Trend Forecasters: Merry Christmas, of course, to huge, sweaty, rock-hard computers.

Love is Blind: The Reunion: Merry Christmas to not being afraid to ask the important questions.

Cher, “Run Rudolph Run”: Merry Christmas to the classics.

Delta Lounge: Merry Christmas to newfangled contraptions designed to satisfy our cravings.

And Merry Christmas to the entire cast, crew, and guest lineup, especially to Bowen Yang, who wrapped up his six-and-a-half-season run with this episode. We wish him luck in his future endeavors. Speaking of the future, January 17, 2026 is a date in the future that will usher in the next new SNL episode, which shall boast host Finn Wolfhard and musical guest A$AP Rocky.