Sabrina Carpenter Conquers SNL: Unleashing Humor & Hits on Her Big Night!

Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter absolutely crushed her double-duty gig on Saturday Night Live this past weekend, delivering iconic sketches, powerful musical performances, and even playfully taking on her own controversies.

TL;DR

• Sabrina Carpenter served as both host and musical guest for SNL's October 18, 2025 episode, marking Season 51's first double-duty performance.
• She hilariously addressed her Man's Best Friend album cover controversy through her monologue and the viral "Shop TV: Pillow" sketch.
• Carpenter showcased her acting range in sketches like "Domingo Cold Open," "Boys Podcast," "Girlboss Seminar," and performed her latest tracks "Manchild" and "Nobody's Son."

Sabrina Carpenter Takes Over Studio 8H: A Night of Pure Star Power!

Talk about a busy Saturday night! On October 18, 2025, the immensely talented Sabrina Carpenter wasn't just dropping by Saturday Night Live; she was taking over the entire show. Stepping into the dual role of both host and musical guest for the first time in Season 51, Carpenter proved that she’s far more than just a pop star. She brought her unique charm, sharp wit, and undeniable stage presence to every single moment, making it an episode fans won’t soon forget.

The night kicked off with a slight delay, reportedly due to college football running over its time slot – a small hiccup that certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm. From her very first appearance in the cold open to her final musical note, Carpenter demonstrated a remarkable versatility, effortlessly transitioning between diverse characters and delivering her songs with passion. It was a true masterclass in live television, leaving many viewers who might have been unfamiliar with her acting chops pleasantly surprised and thoroughly entertained.

The "Shop TV: Pillow" Sketch: A Hilarious Wink to Online Discourse

One of the standout moments of Carpenter's memorable night was her role in the recurring "Shop TV" sketch, which got a fresh, pink, and hilariously suggestive update. If you’re familiar with "Shop TV," you know the drill: two earnestly uptight Christian hosts, Rhett (played by the fantastic Mikey Day) and Bev (now played by the promising Ashley Padilla), hawk bizarre products from religious entrepreneurs. The running gag, of course, is that the products often have an unintentionally suggestive or sexual aesthetic, much to the hosts' barely concealed horror.

This time, Carpenter stepped in as Virginia Duffy, a young luxury designer trying to sell her stylish new neck pillows. The only catch? When these ergonomically designed cushions were snapped together and artfully draped on a stand, particularly in the bubblegum-pink color she brought, they bore a striking resemblance to female genitalia. The ensuing chaos was pure comedic gold, with Day’s Rhett famously asking, "Why would you bring the pink one?" Padilla’s Bev, making her debut in the sketch, looked appropriately concerned and appalled.

But the genius of this sketch wasn't just the visual gag. It cleverly served as a meta-commentary on Carpenter’s own public persona and recent controversies. Her character, Virginia Duffy, remained completely oblivious to the suggestive nature of her product, focusing instead on its memory foam and cooling gel. This mirrored Carpenter’s own approach to online discourse, subtly implying that the problem isn't the "pillow" itself, but rather how people choose to interpret it. It was a smart, self-aware moment that allowed Carpenter to fire back at her critics with humor and poise.

Taking on the "Man's Best Friend" Album Cover Head-On

The "Shop TV" sketch wasn't the only place Sabrina Carpenter playfully addressed her recent album cover controversy. During her opening monologue, she tackled the discourse surrounding her latest album, Man's Best Friend, with a similar blend of innocence and sly humor. The original cover featured Carpenter on all fours, with a faceless man yanking her hair – an image some criticized for promoting a "regressive characterization of a subservient woman."

In her monologue, Carpenter feigned befuddlement, telling the audience, "Some people got a little, like, freaked out by the cover. I'm not sure why?" She then spun a hilarious yarn, claiming the faceless man was actually SNL cast member Bowen Yang, helping her up after Martin Short "shoved her out of the buffet line" at the show’s 50th-anniversary celebration. It was a brilliant way to diffuse tension and show she was in on the joke, while also showcasing her comedic timing.

This theme of perceived sexuality versus innocent intent also subtly wove through other moments, including mocked-up images that appeared between sketches, one showing her innocently walking a dog, playing on the album's suggestive title. Her "Girlboss Seminar" sketch, where her character Queen Lisha suffered a concussion but dismissed concerns as "internalized misogyny," further hinted at the idea that sometimes the criticism she faces might come from a place of over-analysis or, as the sketch put it, even from other women overly concerned with her every move. Carpenter’s performance throughout the night clearly stated that she's comfortable in her skin and ready to challenge perceptions with a smile.

"Why would you bring the pink one?"

— Mikey Day (as Rhett) in "Shop TV: Pillow" sketch

A Packed Night of Sketches and Musical Magic

Beyond the viral pillow moment and her clever meta-commentary, Sabrina Carpenter brought a ton of energy and talent to a packed lineup of sketches. The episode saw the highly anticipated return of Marcello Hernández’s fan-favorite character, Domingo, in the "Domingo Cold Open." Carpenter reprised her role as Sophie, Domingo’s chaotic childhood bestie, adding to the sketch’s vibrant energy alongside Chloe Fineman’s Kelsey, delivering fresh parodies of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Alex Warren songs.

Her acting range truly shone through as she effortlessly embodied a diverse array of characters. In the "Boys Podcast" sketch, Carpenter hilariously transformed into a wide-eyed tween, holding her own alongside Veronika Slowikowska, Jane Wickline, and Chloe Fineman, as they interviewed James Austin Johnson’s spot-on President Donald Trump. Her performance as the concussed "girl boss," Queen Lisha, in the "Girlboss Seminar" was another highlight, blending physical comedy with sharp social commentary.

Other notable sketches from the evening included "Plans," where Carpenter played a woman comically petrified of unbreakable commitments, and the surreal "Appliance Store," where she showcased her singing voice as a washing machine model, harmonizing beautifully with new cast member Veronika Slowikowska’s jazzy dryer. She also appeared in the pretaped sketches "Grind Song/Middle School Lovin'," co-starring with Bowen Yang, "Surprise," and "Social Experiment," featuring Martin Herlihy from Please Don't Destroy.

Of course, a Sabrina Carpenter double-duty night wouldn't be complete without her musical stylings. She took the stage for two lively performances, treating fans to tracks from her Man’s Best Friend album. She delivered powerful live renditions of "Manchild" and "Nobody's Son," further cementing her status as a dynamic and engaging performer across all mediums.

New Faces, Familiar Laughs: Cast Notes from the Episode

The October 18 episode also saw some interesting cast dynamics. Notably, Ashley Padilla, a second-season cast member, stepped into a more prominent role, replacing Heidi Gardner as Bev in the popular "Shop TV" sketch. Fans have been speculating about Padilla's potential as a major player on SNL, and her seamless integration into a beloved recurring bit, following Gardner's unexpected departure after Season 50, seems to confirm that she’s certainly one to watch. Her performance as the "concerned and appalled" co-host opposite Mikey Day was a testament to her growing prominence on the show.

Meanwhile, loyal viewers might have noticed the absence of fan-favorite Bowen Yang from the live portions of the show. Yang shared on his Instagram stories that he missed the episode due to a very good reason: he was in Los Angeles, being honored with the Vantage Award at the Academy Museum Gala. Despite his absence from the main stage, he still made a memorable appearance in the pretaped "Grind Song/Middle School Lovin'" sketch, showing that even when he's away, his comedic presence isn't forgotten.

Catch Up on Sabrina Carpenter's Epic SNL Night!

If you missed Sabrina Carpenter's unforgettable double-duty episode or just want to relive the laughs and incredible performances, you're in luck! All the sketches and musical numbers from the October 18, 2025 episode of Saturday Night Live are readily available to watch. Whether you want to re-watch the "Shop TV: Pillow" sketch and its hilariously suggestive product, enjoy Carpenter’s clever monologue, or groove to her live performances of "Manchild" and "Nobody's Son," it’s all there for your viewing pleasure.

Saturday Night Live airs live on Saturdays at 11:30/10:30c on NBC. But for those who can’t catch it live or simply want to rewatch their favorite moments on demand, the episode becomes available the very next day on Peacock. So, get ready to stream, laugh, and be impressed by Sabrina Carpenter’s incredible talent!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Sabrina Carpenter's SNL Episode Answered! When did Sabrina Carpenter host and perform on SNL? Sabrina Carpenter hosted and was the musical guest on October 18, 2025. What were some of the key sketches Sabrina Carpenter appeared in? She starred in "Shop TV: Pillow," "Domingo Cold Open," "Boys Podcast," "Girlboss Seminar," "Plans," "Appliance Store," and several pretaped segments like "Grind Song/Middle School Lovin'." What songs did Sabrina Carpenter perform on SNL? She performed "Manchild" and "Nobody's Son," both tracks from her album Man's Best Friend. Where can I watch Sabrina Carpenter's SNL episode? You can watch full episodes of Saturday Night Live on NBC at 11:30/10:30c on Saturdays, or stream it the next day on Peacock. Sources

• NBC Insider - Watch Sabrina Carpenter's SNL Sketches & Monologue from October 18, 2025
• The Daily Beast - 'SNL' Newcomer Replaces Heidi Gardner in Popular Sketch
• Mashable - Sabrina Carpenter sells accidentally obscene pillows in SNL's 'Shop TV' sequel sketch
• The Atlantic - Sabrina Carpenter's SNL Appearance Was a Brilliant Act of Self-Mockery