Sabrina Carpenter is pulling double duty on Saturday Night Live this weekend, serving as both host and musical guest for the October 18 episode. NBC released two promotional videos ahead of the broadcast, with the second clip referencing her popular concert routine from "Juno."
During live performances, Carpenter playfully "arrests" audience members for being too attractive, a signature moment that fans have come to expect. The SNL promo recreated this bit with cast member Marcello Hernández expecting to be chosen, given their established on-screen chemistry. However, Carpenter surprised viewers by selecting the show's cameraman instead.
This twist subverted expectations while maintaining the playful energy of her stage performances. The first promo featured a Sex and the City parody with Carpenter channeling Carrie Bradshaw through dramatic voiceovers and confused interactions with cast members. These clips showcase her comedic timing ahead of her hosting debut.
Carpenter previously appeared on SNL as a musical guest and collaborated with Hernández on viral sketches. Her return follows a blockbuster year that saw her album Short n' Sweet dominate charts worldwide. The episode marks another milestone in her expanding entertainment career.
Saturday Night Live: Sabrina Carpenter’s Juno arrest bit explained and her history with Marcello explored
The second promotional video centers on Carpenter's concert tradition. She joked about needing to arrest someone for being excessively attractive, directly mirroring her live show antics. This routine has become a fan-favorite element of her performances, generating countless social media clips.
Hernández positioned himself as the obvious target, extending his hands in mock surrender. Their prior collaborations made this choice seem inevitable. Carpenter previously arrested Hernández while he portrayed his viral character Domingo at a Los Angeles concert last year. The punchline arrived when Carpenter bypassed Hernández entirely. She chose the cameraman filming the promo instead, creating an unexpected comedic beat. This decision played with audience assumptions while keeping the segment fresh.
Hernández and Carpenter have developed a notable on-screen rapport. He gained widespread attention playing Domingo in a wedding sketch set to "Espresso" earlier in season 51. The character spawned viral moments across multiple platforms. Carpenter returned for a follow-up sketch featuring music from Wicked.
This served as a nod to Ariana Grande, who appeared in the original Domingo sketch. These collaborations demonstrated Carpenter's willingness to engage with SNL's recurring bits. Their chemistry extends beyond the Studio 8H stage. The LA concert arrest moment became a cultural reference point, making their promo interactions feel like natural extensions of an ongoing comedy partnership.
The first Saturday Night Live teaser positioned Carpenter as a Carrie Bradshaw figure. Titled 'And Just Like That…Sabrina Carpenter Is Hosting SNL,' it opened with her delivering a contemplative narration about New York City. The voiceover mimicked the HBO series' signature style.
Cast members appeared confused by her theatrical responses to ordinary questions. She mistakenly called Hernández "Mr. Big," referencing Carrie's famous love interest. He corrected her while maintaining the comedic momentum. This parody established the episode's self-aware tone. Writers are clearly tailoring material to Carpenter's personality and pop culture presence.
Who else is set to host Saturday Night Live?
Carpenter follows Bad Bunny and Amy Poehler as Saturday Night Live season 51 hosts. Her appearance capitalizes on her current commercial success and younger fanbase appeal. NBC recently announced Miles Teller, Nikki Glaser, and Glen Powell as upcoming hosts.
The full season lineup remains partially under wraps. Musical guest announcements typically arrive closer to each episode's airdate. Carpenter's dual role makes her a strategic booking during peak music industry visibility.
Her hosting debut on Saturday Night Live tests whether her musical stardom translates to sketch comedy proficiency. Saturday's live broadcast will reveal how effectively she navigates the demanding format beyond promotional clips.
Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock.