“You could have been anywhere tonight… But instead you’re here half-watching a big screen while scrolling social media on a smaller screen, and for that, I’m forever grateful,” Sabrina Carpenter told her audience.
No, Sabrina. I’m taking notes on your outfits and internally screaming at your flawless execution!
Sabrina Carpenter’s Netflix special, “A Nonsense Christmas,” was the early Christmas gift fans didn’t know they needed. Dropped on December 6th, it’s a delightful mix of hilarious skits, backstage moments, holiday classic covers, and a spread to holiday cheer through the season.
The special featured several of Carpenter’s original Christmas hits from her 2023 E.P. “Fruitcake” as well as covers of holiday songs. The opening performance, “Buy Me Presents,” in front of a live audience set a strong tone, and the sound of the saxophone was a cherry on top.
Throughout the fifty-minute special, the “Espresso” singer teamed up with musical artists Chappell Roan, Shania Twain, Kali Uchis, and Tyla for duets that put a spin on Christmas hits.
Carpenter and Tyla performed “This Christmas,” while Twain sang with Carpenter a duet of “Santa Baby.” Next, Uchis joined her for “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”. For the final duet, Roan and Carpenter sang “Last Christmas” in a hauntingly beautiful duet.
While the guest artists’ vocals were stunning, Carpenter’s voice stood out, and her singing has always been phenomenal. “Cindy Luo Who” was my favorite performance, with its playful yet deeply relatable lyrics. Her solo in “What Do I Get My Brother-in-Law,” a rap with bubbly, on-screen lyrics, was a hilarious surprise and unexpectedly catchy.
Between musical performances, Carpenter kept the audience laughing with funny jokes. From drawing abs onto a man with a Sharpie to breaking a window because Netflix allegedly let her spend unlimited money (as long as the show went viral), the skits were just as entertaining as the music.
The skit with special guests “Sweethearts” actor Nico Hiraga, “Abbott Elementary” star Quinta Brunson, and model Cara Delevingne was the highlight of the show. The scene poked fun at ghosting in dating, with the three actresses playing versions of women from the past, present, and future who haunt a man that’s left them on read. “Telling someone you don’t want to date them anymore is awkward AF,” Hiraga’s character says, clearly terrified by Carpenter’s sudden appearance. This performance teaches the importance of communication in relationships, and that “the ghosters on the naughty list” must learn from this.
And of course, as expected from a girl with glamour, Carpenter had an abundance of outfit changes. Many of them were just as amazing as the whole show, and the fur coat she wore during her performance with Chappell Roan was my favorite. I also loved the classic sparkly red bodysuit during the big finale while all the performers were in Christmas outfits.
If there was one thing I would ask for, it’s a longer Christmas special because those fifty minutes flew away too fast! Plus, her voice with Chappell Roan’s was a perfect harmony, and I hope to see another collaboration between the two.
Sabrina Carpenter has once again impressed her audience, including me. While spreading Christmas cheer and smiles that shine brighter than Rudolph’s nose, her performance easily receives a solid 5/5 from me.
