SNL’s Marcello Hernandez Delivers a Sebastian Maniscalco Impression So Perfect, the Comedian Himself Had to Respond
In the age of viral moments and instant cultural commentary, Saturday Night Live continues to prove why it remains television’s most essential barometer of zeitgeist-worthy entertainment. Last night’s episode, featuring the impossibly charismatic Glen Powell as host, delivered a sketch so pitch-perfect, so uncannily executed, that even its subject couldn’t help but applaud from the digital sidelines.
Enter Marcello Hernandez, the show’s breakout talent since joining the cast in 2022, who transformed himself into comedy legend Sebastian Maniscalco with such surgical precision that social media erupted in collective astonishment. The sketch—a deceptively simple bachelor party scenario—became an unexpected showcase for Hernandez’s chameleonic abilities, as he inhabited Maniscalco’s signature physicality: those animated hand gestures, the perpetually incredulous facial expressions, the distinctively raspy vocal cadence that’s become synonymous with observational comedy gold.
But darling, it wasn’t merely imitation—it was transformation. Hernandez donned a grey wig that somehow captured not just Maniscalco’s appearance but his entire comedic essence, channeling the beloved comedian’s nostalgia-driven humor and that quintessentially Italian-American energy that’s made Maniscalco a household name. The performance felt less like mockery and more like homage, a loving tribute wrapped in comedic brilliance.
By Sunday morning, Maniscalco himself had weighed in, offering his seal of approval with characteristic brevity: “Nailed it,” he wrote on an Instagram Reel of the sketch. He then shared the moment to his own Instagram stories, adding with apparent disbelief, “You gotta be kidding me, @marcellohdz.” The comedian’s response—equal parts flattery and astonishment—only amplified the sketch’s virality.
The digital chorus echoed this sentiment. “Love Marcello! Best skit of the night!” one enthusiast declared, while another offered, “His impression is PERFECT,” their capitalization speaking volumes about the performance’s impact.
Saturday Night Live has always thrived on its ability to distill cultural touchstones into sketches that feel simultaneously timely and timeless. Powell’s November 16, 2025 hosting debut provided the perfect platform for this particular lightning-in-a-bottle moment. The sketch worked because it understood something fundamental: great comedy isn’t just about getting the voice right—it’s about capturing the soul.
Hernandez’s Maniscalco wasn’t just technically proficient; it radiated genuine affection for its subject, that indefinable quality that separates competent impression from transcendent performance art. In an entertainment landscape increasingly fragmented by streaming platforms and algorithmic feeds, SNL reminded us why live television still matters—because sometimes, magic simply cannot be manufactured. It must be witnessed.
