After a record-breaking year of success, the six-time Grammy nominee Sabrina Carpenter topped it off with a dreamy Christmas variety show. Netflix’s ‘A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter’ captivated viewers with surprises and a star-studded lineup of special guests, such as Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, Kali Uchis, Quinta Brunson and more. From performing songs from her 2023 Christmas-themed EP Fruit Cake to cracking jokes, Carpenter kept each segment short and sweet—while serving looks, of course—making this musical comedy special the ultimate holiday treat.
The performances and stage sets were stunning
The scenery and props used on stage were true gifts to the eyes. Carpenter opened the show with the catchy pop tune “Buy Me Presents” while standing on top of grand, red gift boxes. And the beauty didn’t stop there. During the “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” performance, Carpenter and Kali Uchis sat in a cozy living room with a fireplace, giving a more realistic Christmas at home setting.
This holiday special also paid homage to the charm of old-school musical comedies and vintage media. For example, the segment where Carpenter makes an espresso martini is very reminiscent of a 1970s housewife commercial. Meanwhile, her performance of “Last Christmas” with Chappell Roan brought 1980s rom-com vibes, as the pair belted out the song karaoke-style in front of an old box TV.
Carpenter’s performance of “Cindy Lou Who” added a melancholic touch to this joyful special with her soothing vocals. The set also had a lot of cinematic flair. The windblown hair, moody black-and-white filter, and piano playing made the performance feel straight out of a 1950s film.
Sabrina Carpenter added her own style to Christmas Songs
Aside from the show being aesthetically pleasing, Carpenter put her spin on classic Christmas carols, adding a touch of her charismatic personality. Her rendition of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” gave the audience a preview of the humor and charm she had in store. In a clever nod to her critics who have a problem with her embracing her sexuality, she sang, “There’ll be divas so stunning and seasonal punning/ And costumes in red and in green/ You can watch with your aunties/ I might mention panties/ But don’t fret, it’s TV-14.” This cheeky humor shows that she’s self-aware and staying on brand.
On the other hand, the performances of Carpenter’s original Christmas songs were full of innuendos and suggestive lyrics, which brought a playful edge to the festive fun. While performing “A Nonsense Christmas,” she sang, “I’m talkin’ deckin’ all the halls, I’m talkin’ spikin’ eggnog/ I’m talkin’ opposite of small, I’m talkin’ big snowballs/ You got a new toy for me, I’m out here trimmin’ the tree/ I caught that holiday glee, my true love gave it to me.” It’s clear that Carpenter wanted to go out with a bang, adding adult humor into a traditionally family-friendly show—a bold and refreshing twist to a Christmas special.
The comedy sketches were funny and full of awkward humor
The comedic sketches channeled the sarcastic and sassy vibes of Saturday Night Live. One of the most witty moments came in the sketch where Sabrina introduces her boyfriend Nick (who she humorously refuses to acknowledge as Santa Claus). While some jokes were borderline cringey (like the mix-up of the words “shard” and “shart”), this scene gave us a special moment where actors Owen Thiele and Megan Stalter broke character while opening gifts, giving a touch of authenticity.
Aside from that, the “What Do I Get My Brother-In-Law” sketch was pure comedic gold. This relatable sketch focused on Sabrina trying to figure out what her fictional sister Amy’s (Jillian Bell) husband, Dave (Kyle Mooney), might like for Christmas. The running gag of everyone forgetting who he is and what he likes builds up the awkwardness and makes the back-and-forth more hysterical.
The “ghosted” sketch was the best out of the bunch though, with Carpenter having perfect comedic timing. In this part of the show, Carpenter is joined by Quinta Brunson and Cara Delevingne as they all play ex-girlfriends who have been ghosted by Nico Hiraga. As they confront the guy for leaving them without warning, Brunson steals the show using her sitcom style of comedy, while Delevingne adds dry humor. This trio’s chemistry was undeniable—we need to see them team up again!
Sabrina Carpenter delivered an outstanding live performance without relying on backing tracks, impressing fans so much that they demanded a live album version to be released.
By continuously breaking the fourth wall, Carpenter created a personal connection with viewers, keeping them engaged throughout the show. Fans are even suggesting that Carpenter should make doing a Christmas special an annual tradition.
But will Carpenter ever do a musical comedy special again? We’ll have to wait, hope, and see.
What's Your Reaction?
