The CBS comedy DMV is getting ready for its holiday break with a big episode. The show’s midseason finale, titled “The Next Window,” is set to bring holiday chaos and a major guest star to the screen. The story follows the East Hollywood DMV crew as they attend a holiday party where two big plans go very wrong. One involves a last-chance romance, and the other is a desperate attempt to save their jobs. This episode will mark the last new episode until the show returns in February 2026.
Release Date And Time For DMV Episode 9
DMV Episode 9 will air on Monday, December 8, 2025. The show is making a special time change for this episode. Instead of the regular 8:30 p.m. ET/PT slot, “The Next Window” will air earlier, from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
If you miss the live broadcast, you can watch it on Paramount+. However, when it becomes available depends on your subscription plan:
- Paramount+ Premium subscribers can watch the episode live as it airs on CBS or on-demand right after it ends.
- Paramount+ Essential subscribers can watch the episode on-demand starting the next day, December 9, 2025.
The episode is also available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. The episode was directed by Katie Locke O’Brien and written by Matt Kuhn.
What Happens In DMV Episode 9 “The Next Window”?
The official story for the episode centers on the Big Sac holiday party. The staff’s personal and professional crises collide in one loud, crowded room.
“At the Big Sac holiday party, Colette tries to impress Noa before his single ‘window’ closes. Meanwhile, Barb’s effort to save the East Hollywood DMV backfires when she accidentally tackles the director, but assistant Sally (played by Leslie Jones) steps in to help.”
For Colette, played by Harriet Dyer, this party is her final opportunity with her coworker crush, Noa (Alex Tarrant). After the events of the previous episode, where her secret plans were exposed, she feels enormous pressure to make a big move. The episode’s title, “The Next Window,” directly refers to this closing window of opportunity for her to connect with Noa.
Simultaneously, manager Barb (Molly Kearney) is in full crisis mode. Her positive attitude is being tested as she fights to stop the East Hollywood DMV branch from being shut down permanently. Her plan takes a disastrous turn when she literally tackles the director at the party. This disastrous moment introduces a new character to help clean up the mess.
Guest Star Leslie Jones Joins The Chaos
The midseason finale features a special guest appearance by comedian and former Saturday Night Live star Leslie Jones. She plays Sally, an assistant who arrives to help after Barb’s aggressive plan to save the branch fails.
Jones is known for her high-energy, bold comedy style. Her presence suggests the holiday party chaos will reach new levels with fast-paced jokes and physical comedy. Sally’s role could be to either help Barb fight the bureaucracy more effectively or to highlight how ridiculous the entire situation has become.
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Storylines Continuing From Episode 8
Episode 8, “Splash Fountain,” set the stage for the holiday finale by deepening character conflicts and themes of loneliness.
- Colette and Barb’s Friendship: The previous episode ended with Barb confronting Colette. She told Colette that her behavior could be needy and overwhelming, but also admitted she believed Colette genuinely needed a friend. This complicated dynamic will be front and center at the holiday party as Colette tries to impress Noa.
- Gregg’s AI Friendship: In a memorable subplot, Gregg (Tim Meadows) formed an emotional bond with a customer service AI, believing it was a real person. His coworker Ceci (Gigi Zumbado) revealed the truth to him. The secret of this fake friendship is likely to add to the awkwardness of the party, especially with his rival Vic (Tony Cavalero) now aware of it.
- Vic’s Softening: Episode 8 showed a kinder side of Vic. He had a chance to embarrass Gregg about the AI friend but chose not to. This new dynamic may lead him to unexpectedly support a coworker during the party’s chaos.
The midseason finale will combine these ongoing stories with the new chaos brought by the holiday party and Leslie Jones’s character. As the last episode before a long break, it is expected to end with significant developments or a cliffhanger regarding the branch’s future and the characters’ relationships.
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