Sabrina Carpenter’s Debut as ‘SNL’ Host: All 8 Sketches Ranked

Previous SNL sketches about Domingo (Marcello Hernández), the suave guy ladies love, have seemingly been a hit — but with a big cast refresh, last season’s go-to was a stale opener for Carpenter’s Oct. 18 episode. Her performance in the friend group making Domingo’s reveal again (by way of bad singing) was on point. But as a cold open, the sketch felt like it was a missing a twist to reel viewers in. Still, pop fans will appreciate the song parodies set to Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” and Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra.”

Carpenter confidently fills the role of “girlboss” in this satirical sketch that has a motivational figure going through the motions — even through a concussion. Silly physical humor and good comedic timing make her character’s cringe funny, even through the period-themed quips.

The “Surprise” sketch would rank much higher on this list, if it had been Carpenter who carried it. But she’s just a supporting player to Ashley Padilla’s scene-stealing performance as the colleague who can’t vibe with an office birthday surprise. If there’s one line to take way from the episode, it’s this one: “Farted and demoted.”

Sabrina Carpenter and Bowen Yang have no qualms playing awkward 13-year-olds who’ve apparently heard about grinding somewhere. The two attempt some questionable moves on the middle school dance floor in this pre-taped musical sketch with lyrics like “We could get PG-13, if you know what I mean.” Stick around ’til the end to see what the scene really looks like from the principal’s (Kenan Thompson) POV.

Carpenter’s musical talent comes in play again in this whimsical sketch set in a P.C. Richard store where washers and dryers have human heads that can carry a tune. Here, instead of a buzz or a jingle, your washer/dryer duo will perform a little ditty when the load is “almost totally dry” and a perhaps a tap number if you go for the “permanent press” cycle. SNL newcomer Veronika Slowikowska impresses, holding her own harmonizing and playing showgirl with Carpenter.

The video thumbnail might tell you all you need to know about this one, but press play to catch an always-funny “Shop TV” sketch — this one’s got Carpenter perfectly portraying a naive guest seller who’s unaware the neck pillow she designed for flight comfort unmistakably resembles a particular part of the female anatomy. Especially when she adds on the faux-fur lining, available in two varieties.

Introverts assemble: This is the scary movie of your nightmares. Carpenter and Ben Marshall star in a Blumhouse parody about the horror in realizing months ago you politely made plans with distant relatives that you hoped they wouldn’t follow through on — but they did. And those plans are for today. “Which cousin is it?” Marshall asks in a panic, to which Carpenter reveals — eyes wide in terror — that it’s “the one who runs marathons.” It gets more frightening. “Her husband is coming too” — the one known for making people watch 11-minute YouTube videos with him. So much for the weekend.

The top moment of Carpenter’s episode of Saturday Night Live is an ensemble sketch that puts her on a podcast about snacks with three other annoying young boys (Chloe Fineman, Jane Wickline and Veronika Slowikowska). Littered with insufferable slang (“fire,” “cooked,” et al.) as they snicker over Halloween candy and “goated” vegetables, something about it sounds so accurate in the time of TikTok that it’s almost real. The four of them, led by Carpenter, pull off the uncomfortable modern tween vibe almost too well. As one of the top comments on YouTube voices, “My heartfelt sympathies to all middle and high school teachers during this difficult time.”