Saturday Night Live Celebrates Taylor Swift with Musical Medley

The latest episode of Saturday Night Live, aired on April 20, 2024, featured a lively cold open that combined music and humor, showcasing host and musical guest Sabrina Carpenter. This marked the show’s fourth sketch centered around the recurring character Domingo, played by Marcello Hernández.

In the sketch, characters Kelsey and Matt, portrayed by Chloe Fineman and Andrew Dismukes, celebrated Matt’s 30th birthday with friends. Carpenter, alongside fellow cast members Sarah Sherman, Ashley Padilla, and newcomer Veronika Slowikowska, performed a medley that began with a song about their recent trip to Nashville, set to the tune of Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” from her latest album, *The Life of a Showgirl*. Carpenter also contributes to the album with the titular track.

Domingo’s Surprise Appearance

The celebration took an unexpected turn when the character Domingo, infamous for his charm, was revealed to have also been in Nashville. The group transitioned into a second performance inspired by Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” humorously focusing on Domingo, described as “the man with a goatee and a gold chain.” Just as Kelsey reassured Matt that Domingo was in the past, Hernández’s character made a surprise entrance, performing a cover of Alex Warren’s “Ordinary.”

In a comedic twist, Domingo serenaded Kelsey with lyrics referencing their night together in Nashville, including lines like, “The night we spent together in Nashville was anything but ordinary.” The sketch culminated with an exasperated Matt addressing Kelsey, saying, “I’m serious, this is strike six,” to which she reassured him, “Hey babe, it won’t happen again.”

A Recurring Character’s Evolution

This episode continues the journey of Domingo, who first appeared in a sketch hosted by Ariana Grande last October, where the character was featured in a song about him performed by Carpenter. Earlier this year, Carpenter reprised her role in a third Domingo sketch during the show’s 50th Anniversary Special, highlighting Matt and Kelsey’s vow renewal. This earlier sketch included celebrity appearances from Martin Short, Molly Shannon, Pedro Pascal, and Bad Bunny and featured performances of three songs, including “Defying Gravity” and “You Belong With Me.”

The blend of humor and music in this latest sketch underscores the show’s ability to innovate while celebrating popular culture. As the audience continues to embrace both Carpenter’s and Hernández’s comedic timing, the ongoing popularity of Domingo promises more entertaining moments in future episodes of Saturday Night Live.