Sabrina Carpenter hosted SNL for the first time and starred in eight sketches that made it to air Saturday night (Oct. 18) in an episode that seamlessly paired with the pop star’s brand of humor.
More from Billboard
With a background in comedy television — a decade ago, a then-teenaged Carpenter was the lead on the Boy Meets World spinoff Girl Meets World — and with some familiarity with the SNL stage (as a music performer twice, and with one “Domingo” sketch in her pocket), the singer/actress was poised for success pulling double duty as host and musical guest Saturday night.
And she delivered, from the cold opening all the way through her final sketch of the night — with two playful performances sandwiched into the schedule (a youthfully staged “Manchild,” plus an uncensored “Nobody’s Son”).
With a short and sweet monologue, Carpenter poked fun at her Man’s Best Friend album cover and her “horn-dog pop star” persona — “I’m not just horny, I’m also turned on, and I’m sexually charged, and I love to read; my favorite book is the encyclopedia… it’s so big and it’s hard” — and throughout the episode portrayed roles ranging from a singing washing machine to a tween boy podcaster to an entrepreneur peddling a pillow that looks like a vagina. (Audience reports from the dress rehearsal say there were also a couple sketches with Carpenter that didn’t make it to broadcast, including one about the “perfect man” and a Salem witch-themed bit.)
Here’s a ranking of every sketch Carpenter was in on the show that aired Saturday night. Watch all eight sketches from the Oct. 18 episode of SNL below.
8. “Domingo” Cold Open
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.”
7. “Girlboss Seminar”
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.
6. “Surprise”
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.”
5. “Grind Song”
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.
4. “Appliance Store”
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.
3. “Shop TV: Pillow”
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.
2. “Plans”
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.
1. “Boys Podcast”
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.”
Best of Billboard
Sign up for Billboard’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
