‘SNL’ Opens with Musical Medley Featuring Taylor Swift and Domingo

The latest episode of Saturday Night Live, which aired on October 7, 2023, featured an engaging cold open blending musical elements with comedic flair. Host and musical guest Sabrina Carpenter led a lively performance in what marks the show’s fourth sketch themed around the character Domingo, portrayed by Marcello Hernández.

In the sketch, Carpenter joins cast members Chloe Fineman and Andrew Dismukes, who play a married couple, Kelsey and Matt, celebrating Matt’s milestone 30th birthday. The scene kicks off with a musical medley, as Kelsey’s friends, including Carpenter, Sarah Sherman, Ashley Padilla, and newcomer Veronika Slowikowska, gather to serenade Matt. Their first song pays homage to 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 is also featured on the album’s title track.

Just as the birthday celebration begins, the sketch takes an unexpected turn when Domingo makes an appearance. The group transitions into a second number based on Lady Gaga‘s “Abracadabra,” humorously focusing on Domingo’s character, described as “the man with a goatee and a gold chain.” The energy escalates when Domingo, played by Hernández, takes to the stage to perform his own rendition of Alex Warren‘s “Ordinary.” In a cheeky twist, he tells Kelsey, “The night we spent together in Nashville was anything but ordinary.”

His performance includes playful lyrics such as, “I know that you took a vow / But I am so well-endowed / Kelsey we got a noise complaint / We shook the whole hotel.” An increasingly frustrated Matt interrupts, declaring, “I’m serious, this is strike six,” to which Kelsey reassures him, “Hey babe, it won’t happen again.”

This sketch highlights the continued popularity of the Domingo character, who first appeared in October 2022 during an episode hosted by Ariana Grande. The comedic persona has developed through various sketches, including a memorable segment earlier this year as part of the show’s 50th Anniversary Special, which featured notable guests like Martin Short, Molly Shannon, Pedro Pascal, and Bad Bunny.

The latest sketch not only showcases the musical talents of the cast but also reflects the cultural influence of artists like Swift and Gaga. The blend of humor and music continues to be a hallmark of SNL, keeping audiences entertained while addressing contemporary themes.