The final “Saturday Night Live” of 2022 proved doubly emotional, as it was announced just hours before the episode aired that it would be Cecily Strong’s final “SNL.” She said goodbye to herself as recurring character Cathy Anne on Weekend Update earlier in the night, but an iconic “SNL” moment was born at the end of the show, as the entire cast and host Austin Butler sang “Blue Christmas” as a farewell song. I sang Strong – and there was no dry eye in the house.
What opened as a sketch at Radio Shack soon turned real, as Kenan Thompson said, “As some of you know this is Cecily’s last day working at Radio Shack,” before reminiscing about “eight incredible years”.
“Well, I’ve been here 11,” interjected Strong. “I know, and eight of them were incredible,” Thompson replied.
“Honestly I don’t think Radio Shack could have survived this long without Cecily,” Thompson continued, his voice cracking. “Every time she came to work, she had a new character or a new tone or a new effect that blew you away. There was a power and joy in his performance that reminded you why you loved working at Radio Shack in the first place. I know I’m not supposed to say this as your boss, but I love you Cecily.
“I love you too, Mr. Frank Lasagna,” replied Strong, joking that it was still a “sketch”.
Thompson then sprung up for a surprise guest, Casual Elvis, before disappearing from the set to escort host Austin Butler down the stairs.
“Cicely I know we only met this week, but I feel like I’ve known you for two weeks,” he said, then the stage lights turned blue and the “Elvis” star performed “Blue Christmas.” Gave. ,
Strong also sang, turning it into a duet, but this version of the song twists the lyrics – “You might be doing fine, every Saturday night, but we’ll all have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas, ” – Strong literally could not get out the words “Saturday night”, overwhelmed with emotion.
At the end of the song, Thompson came in to sing, then the rest of the cast turned to Strong as an emotionally charged Colin Jost sang himself.
Jost’s demeanor was odd when Weekend Update began, like he was down or in no mood to tell jokes, and the look on his face during “Blue Christmas” explained it all.
He was deeply saddened to see Strong go.
Us too, Colin.
Watch a clip from Farewell below.
