New York, NY — Sabrina Carpenter made a memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live this week, where she not only served as host but also performed as the musical guest. However, one of her performances became the subject of controversy after she dropped two F-bombs during her song “Nobody’s Son,” causing audio issues for West Coast viewers.
A Bold Performance
Carpenter, dressed in a rhinestone-clad mini karate robe, delivered an uncensored performance of “Nobody’s Son” from her new album Man’s Best Friend. The song’s bridge includes the lyric “He sure f—ed me up,” which Carpenter sang loud and clear on the show.
For viewers watching live on Peacock or in later time zones on NBC, the expletive was audible. However, when the episode aired on the West Coast, the audio feed quickly dropped out. This was in response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines, which regulate the use of profanity on broadcast television between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., a period when there is a “reasonable risk that children may be in the audience.”
SNL’s History with Profanity
Though SNL typically avoids using explicit language due to the possibility of hefty FCC fines, the show has had a history of musical guests and cast members who have accidentally dropped profanity during live performances. Artists like Prince, Steven Tyler, Morris Day, Michael Stipe, Beastie Boys, System of a Down, and the Strokes have all let the F-word slip in the past.
In fact, SNL has a history of disciplining cast members and guests for profanity. One of the most infamous incidents was in 2009 when cast member Jenny Slate accidentally said the F-word during her debut season, leading to rumors that she was fired for it. However, in a 2019 interview with InStyle, Slate clarified that she wasn’t let go for cursing but for other reasons: “I didn’t belong there. I didn’t do a good job, I didn’t click,” she said. “I have no idea how Lorne [Michaels] felt about me.”
Carpenter’s Earlier Performance
In her earlier performance of “Manchild,” Carpenter opted for a more censored approach, changing the lyric in the chorus from the full curse word to “F my life” instead, likely to avoid triggering FCC concerns during the earlier segment.
The First Double Duty of Season 51
Carpenter’s appearance on SNL marked her first time as host and her second appearance as musical guest, making her the first person to take on double duty in the show’s 51st season. Despite the controversy surrounding the performance, Carpenter made no mention of the dropped F-bombs during the show’s goodnights.
Looking Ahead
SNL will return on November 1 with actor Miles Teller hosting and singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile performing as the musical guest. Upcoming hosts for the season include comedian Nikki Glaser and actor Glen Powell.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
