Bowen Yang reveals her ‘SNL’ dream host

Bowen Yang has been one Saturday Night Live cast for five years now, which means he’s seen a lot of celebrity guest hosts come and go. But there is still one who escapes him, like Moby-Dick, who stays before Captain Ahab. Yang revealed his “white whale” dream guest on The Kelly Clarkson Showand also thought of a new twist that might make it more likely.

“Well, my white whale has always been Cher,” Yang told Kelly Clarkson.

“She’s funny!” Clarkson agreed.

“She’s so funny! And since you two have a single coming out, I feel like you and Cher getting together would blow my mind,” Yang said.

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Yang is referring to “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” which was originally the lead single from Cher’s 2023 Christmas album (simply titled Christmas). After Clarkson covered it on the show via her regular “Kellyoke” segment (and elsewhere), she and Cher ended up teaming up for a new dance remix of the song.

“I love that song so much,” Clarkson said. “I was so much her street team that I think she felt obligated to ask me. I was singing it everywhere! So we released the dance remix version, she let me sing on it and it was a dream, that came true. So I understand that your Cher scenario.”

Cher has not performed SNL since she was the musical guest in 1987, and Yang hopes the addition of Clarkson could lure her back to the show. However, Clarkson was doubtful that she could compare with Cher’s acting skills.

“If Cher comes on, I’ll just be the person who randomly walks through the back,” she said.

“No, Kelly!” Yang protested.

As for Yang himself, he has more than just that SNL to talk about these days. The actor, comedian and podcast host also has a role in the new one Evil film in which he plays a lowly friend of Glinda (Ariana Grande, who has hosted SNL) at Shiz University. He even got to show the movie with his SNL costs.

Cher has also been busy. She has recently published her memoirs, simply titled Cher (she’s never been one for complicated names), and tells Weekly entertainment she is ready to make Mamma Mia 3.

Watch Clarkson’s full conversation with Yang above.