Sabrina Carpenter Crushes SNL Double Duty: Domingo, Manchild & More

Sabrina Carpenter took over Studio 8H, bringing her chart-topping hits, viral humor, and a side-splitting monologue to Saturday Night Live as both host and musical guest for Season 51's third episode.

TL;DR: The Highlights You Can't Miss

Sabrina Carpenter pulled off double duty on SNL Season 51, Episode 3, delivering a memorable night as both host and musical guest.
The viral "Domingo" sketch made a triumphant return, with Carpenter joining the "Kelsquad" for a modern pop twist on the classic bit.
Carpenter's hilarious monologue addressed her provocative album cover and "horndog pop star" image, capped off by a surprise "arrest" from Kenan Thompson.
She showcased tracks from her #1 album, Man's Best Friend, with "Manchild" and the live debut of "Nobody's Son," complete with iconic themed sets.

Sabrina Carpenter Dominates Saturday Night Live with Unforgettable Performance

Well, babes, Sabrina Carpenter officially conquered Studio 8H on October 18, 2025! The "Espresso" singer not only hosted Saturday Night Live for the very first time but also pulled double duty as the musical guest, delivering a standout episode that had everyone buzzing. From the return of a beloved viral sketch to a monologue that perfectly blended self-awareness with cheeky humor, Carpenter proved she's a force to be reckoned with in both music and comedy.

This wasn't her first rodeo at SNL – she'd graced the stage as a musical guest before and popped up in a few sketches, including the legendary SNL50 anniversary special. But hosting? That's a whole new level, and she absolutely crushed it. Let's dive into all the iconic moments that made her triple-threat night one for the books.

The Much-Anticipated Return of the Domingo Skit with a Modern Twist

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The night kicked off with a cold open that fans have been clamoring for: the return of the viral "Domingo" sketch! If you've been anywhere online, you know the original skit, which famously featured Sabrina's own hit "Espresso" (though she wasn't in that first one, Ariana Grande was!). This time, Sabrina Carpenter herself joined Chloe Fineman's Kelsey and her "Kelsquad" of best friends, including Chloe, as they recounted a wild Nashville night out.

In true Domingo fashion, the group sang their confessions to Kelsey's long-suffering husband, Matt (played by Andrew Dismukes), setting their scandalous stories to the tunes of modern pop hits. We heard hilarious spoofs of Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" and Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra," building up to the grand entrance of Marcello Hernández's charismatic Domingo, who serenaded Kelsey with Alex Warren's "Ordinary." Matt's frustration was palpable, reminding Kelsey, "I'm serious, this is strike six!" It was a perfect, pop-culture-savvy callback that brought the house down.

Sabrina's Monologue: Addressing Controversies with Signature Wit

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Sabrina's opening monologue was pure gold. She wasted no time in addressing some of the "misconceptions" people have about her, particularly the chatter around the provocative cover art for her latest album, Man's Best Friend.

Carpenter joked about the image, which shows her on all fours with an unseen figure pulling her hair. "I'm not sure why [people got freaked out]," she quipped, before revealing the "truth" behind the photo: "If you zoom out, it’s clearly a picture from the 50th anniversary special of Bowen helping me up by the hair... after Martin Short shoved me out of the buffet line." It was a brilliant, self-deprecating moment that immediately set the tone for her humorous hosting style.

"Everyone thinks of me as this, like, horndog pop star, but there’s really so much more to me. 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…"

— Sabrina Carpenter, SNL Monologue

She continued to play into her "horndog pop star" image with hilarious one-liners, even interacting with an audience member, Will from Maryland, whose profession as a "venture capitalist" caused her to swiftly move on. The monologue culminated in a nod to her concert tradition of "arresting someone for being hot." This, of course, led to a surprise cameo from none other than Kenan Thompson, who, with pink handcuffs, "arrested" Sabrina for "falsely impersonating an officer 200 times at your concerts" and "arresting innocent hot people." It was a fantastic blend of her stage persona and classic SNL humor.

Musical Delights: From Bedroom Bops to Karate Choreography

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As musical guest, Sabrina Carpenter gave fans a taste of her chart-topping album, Man's Best Friend, which hit #1 on the US Billboard 200 shortly after its late August release. She delivered two electrifying performances that showcased her versatility and undeniable stage presence.

"Manchild" Performance: A Campy Sleepover Fantasy

Her first musical number, "Manchild," was a visual and auditory treat. The stage was transformed into a playful, bedroom-themed set, complete with a bed where Sabrina bounced around in a yellow SNL T-shirt and pink SNL underwear. Singing into a hairbrush (a classic sleepover move!), she fully leaned into the song's tongue-in-cheek spirit – a playful jab at grown men who still act like boys. The performance was packed with "girlish glee," "campy" theatrics, exaggerated choreography, and dramatic camera winks, even featuring an homage to Cameron Diaz's iconic mirror dance scene from Charlie's Angels. Co-written with Jack Antonoff and Amy Allen, "Manchild" was a perfect example of Carpenter's ability to blend biting humor with irresistible pop hooks.

"Nobody's Son": A Live Debut with Martial Arts Flair

Later in the show, Sabrina gave us the live debut of "Nobody's Son," another track from Man's Best Friend. For this performance, the vibe shifted dramatically. Carpenter took to a stage designed with a martial-arts setting, delivering the reggae-pop tune with choreography inspired by a karate dojo. It was a stark but equally captivating contrast to her first performance, highlighting the diverse sounds and themes on her latest album.

Notably, this performance also sparked a minor controversy: viewers on the East Coast feed reportedly heard the lyrics "fucked up" uncensored twice, while West Coast viewers experienced a brief audio silence, indicating a tighter tape delay for their broadcast. Just another layer to an already memorable night!

Beyond the Big Hits: Hilarious Sketches and Unexpected Cameos

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Sabrina Carpenter didn't just shine in her monologue and musical sets; she seamlessly integrated into the SNL cast for a series of memorable sketches. Her comedic chops were on full display, proving her background in sitcoms and live performances has definitely paid off.

"Snack Homiez" Podcast: In a truly unexpected and hilarious turn, Carpenter, alongside other women cast members, played a 12-year-old boy (and a 13-year-old "unc") interviewing James Austin Johnson's spot-on Donald Trump. They discussed "GOATed" vegetables and Halloween candies, with Trump famously declaring "Ding Dongs" his favorite and meandering into a discussion about George Santos.
QVC Shenanigans: Sabrina also appeared in a sketch hawking a rather "provocative" neck pillow on QVC, bringing her playful, innuendo-laden humor to the infomercial format.
Pre-Taped Promos: Even before the live show, Carpenter was making waves with her promos. She parodied Carrie Bradshaw in "Sabrina in the City," joked about "arresting" Marcello Hernandez in another, and even lip-synced a viral TikTok mash-up with him.

A Noteworthy Absence: Where Was Bowen Yang?

While Sabrina was busy taking over the show, one prominent cast member was notably absent from the live taping: Bowen Yang. Fans might have missed him, but there was a good reason! Yang was in Los Angeles, where he was honored with the Vantage Award at the prestigious 2025 Academy Museum Gala. Even though he couldn't be there live, his name still made it into Sabrina's monologue in that clever album cover explanation!

Sabrina's Journey to SNL Stardom: From Musical Guest to Host

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Sabrina Carpenter's path to hosting SNL has been a steady climb, showcasing her growing presence in pop culture. Her first musical guest appearance was during the Season 49 finale in May 2024, where she performed her mega-hit "Espresso" and a medley from her 2022 album, Emails I Can't Send. She returned to Studio 8H for the star-studded SNL50 anniversary special in February 2025, performing a beautiful rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound" with Paul Simon himself, and even appearing in the final "Domingo" sequel sketch.

Her experience on the live stage, her knack for penning witty lyrics, and her background in sitcoms made her a perfect fit for the demanding double-duty role. This hosting gig solidifies her status as a pop culture phenomenon capable of more than just catchy tunes.

What's Next for SNL Season 51 and Sabrina Carpenter?

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With Sabrina Carpenter's electrifying episode now in the books, Saturday Night Live Season 51 is taking a short break before returning with a fresh lineup of hosts and musical guests. Mark your calendars!

November 1: Miles Teller hosts with musical guest Brandi Carlile.
November 8: Comedian Nikki Glaser makes her hosting debut with musical guest sombr.
November 15: Glen Powell takes the hosting reins for the first time, joined by musical guest Olivia Dean.

As for Sabrina, her "Short n' Sweet" tour is still going strong, with upcoming stops in New York, Nashville, Toronto, and Los Angeles. If you missed her SNL performance, or just want to relive the magic, you can stream sketches from this episode and every single Saturday Night Live episode on Peacock anytime.

Sabrina Carpenter's night on SNL was a true testament to her talent, humor, and ability to captivate an audience. She came, she hosted, she sang, and she conquered!

Frequently Asked Questions About Sabrina Carpenter's SNL Episode

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When did Sabrina Carpenter host Saturday Night Live?

Sabrina Carpenter hosted and performed as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on October 18, 2025, for Season 51, Episode 3.

What songs did Sabrina Carpenter perform on SNL?

Sabrina Carpenter performed "Manchild" and the live debut of "Nobody's Son," both tracks from her latest album, Man's Best Friend.

Was the viral Domingo skit on Sabrina Carpenter's SNL episode?

Yes, the popular "Domingo" skit made its return during the cold open of Sabrina Carpenter's episode, with Carpenter herself joining the "Kelsquad" of best friends.