SNL Celebrates Taylor Swift in Musical Cold Open with Domingo Twist

The latest episode of Saturday Night Live, which aired on the evening of October 7, 2023, featured a lively cold open that showcased the talents of host and musical guest Sabrina Carpenter. The segment marked the show’s fourth sketch centered around the recurring character Domingo, played by Marcello Hernández.

In the opening sketch, Kelsey and Matt, portrayed by Chloe Fineman and Andrew Dismukes respectively, celebrated Matt’s 30th birthday. Kelsey’s friends, including Carpenter, Sarah Sherman, Ashley Padilla, and newcomer Veronika Slowikowska, surprised him with a medley that began with a song inspired by their recent trip to Nashville. The first tune was a playful rendition set to the melody of Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” from her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl. Notably, Carpenter features on another track from this album, the title song.

The celebration took a humorous turn when it was revealed that Domingo had also been in Nashville. Undeterred, Kelsey and her friends transitioned into a second song, cleverly set to Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” which humorously focused on Domingo, described as “the man with a goatee and a gold chain.” Just as Kelsey reassured Matt that Domingo was a thing of the past, Domingo himself made a surprise appearance, performing a cover of Alex Warren’s “Ordinary.”

In a comical exchange, Domingo sang, “I know that you took a vow / But I am so well-endowed / Kelsey we got a noise complaint / We shook the whole hotel.” This amusing twist culminated in an exasperated Matt telling Kelsey, “I’m serious, this is strike six,” to which she responded, “Hey babe, it won’t happen again.”

The character of Domingo has made a notable impact since his debut in October 2022, during an episode hosted by Ariana Grande. In that initial sketch, the concept was introduced with a song about Domingo performed by Grande. Carpenter herself appeared in the third Domingo-themed sketch earlier this year, which was part of the show’s 50th Anniversary Special, focusing on Matt and Kelsey’s vow renewal. This previous sketch featured a star-studded lineup, including Martin Short, Molly Shannon, Pedro Pascal, and Bad Bunny.

As SNL continues to blend music and comedy, this latest sketch further cements the show’s ability to create memorable, engaging content that resonates with audiences, particularly through its unique character-driven storylines.