Bowen Yang reveals his 'white whale' dream host for “SNL” – with a new twist

It was inspired by a very special new Christmas song.

Bowen Yang has been a Saturday Night Live cast member for five years now, which means he's seen a lot of celebrity guest hosts come and go. But there's still one that eludes him, like Moby-Dick staying ahead of Captain Ahab. Yang revealed his "white whale" dream guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and 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 hilarious!" Clarkson concurred.

Related: Bowen Yang's first screen test for SNL was a 'disaster' due to Lorne Michaels interaction: 'I didn't get the job'

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

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Yang is referring to "DJ Play a Christmas Song," which was originally the lead single of 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, 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 come true. So I understand your Cher scenario."

Related: Cher reveals that she lost her virginity having 'revenge sex,' calls it 'massively overrated experience'

Cher hasn't appeared on SNL since being a musical guest in 1987 and Yang hopes the addition of Clarkson could entice her back to the show. Clarkson, however, was doubtful she could compare to Cher's acting skills.

"If Cher comes on, I just want to be the person who randomly walks through the back," she said.

"No, Kelly!" Yang protested.

As for Yang himself, he has more than just SNL to talk about these days. The actor, comedian, and podcast host also has a role in the new Wicked movie, playing a mean friend of Glinda (Ariana Grande, who has hosted SNL) at Shiz University. He even got to screen the movie with his SNL costars.

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

Watch Clarkson's full conversation with Yang above.