Sabrina Carpenter hosted and performed as musical guest on Saturday Night Live’s third episode of season 51, marking the first time a star pulled double duty since Paul Simon did so 50 years ago. The episode, delayed 12 minutes due to an overrun football game, largely avoided politics and focused on lighter sketches, including a return of the popular Domingo sketch.
The cold open revisited the Domingo storyline, where Carpenter and the cast sang about infidelity to tunes like Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra and Taylor Swift’s The Fate of Ophelia. Swift, rumored to appear, did not show. Carpenter joked about her hyper-sexualized lyrics and controversial album cover, while a crowd interaction segment fell flat.
Other sketches included a parody of podcast culture with Carpenter and female cast members impersonating pre-teen boys, and a horror-movie spoof about the anxiety of making plans. James Austin Johnson’s Trump impression appeared unexpectedly, musing about candy and heaven. Ben Marshall, promoted to feature player, made multiple appearances, including in the horror sketch.
The episode also featured a recurring sketch blending elements of Wake Up and Smile and Delicious Dish, with Carpenter selling a travel pillow resembling a woman’s body. The show’s technical issues did not detract from Carpenter’s performance, which showcased her acting chops alongside a refreshed cast.
