Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson returned to the Saturday Night Live stage this weekend, marking the second (and hopefully not last) time the actor has hosted NBC’s storied sketch comedy program. After an inspiring story about how she found great success in life despite being a college dropout, Brunson offers her story as proof that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. She encourages people to keep going, “Even if people look down on you… whether it’s because of where you come from, or literally because you’re only 4’11”.” Referencing her tiny stature, Quinta bursts into song, detailing the ways that being short has its upsides.
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As the Abbott star shouts out other famous shorties, dancers bring out cardboard cutouts of celebrities like Tom Holland and Simone Biles. Next in the lineup is the famously tiny Sabrina Carpenter, but when Brunson calls out her name, it’s not a standee that’s brought in; it’s the “Espresso” singer herself. This marks the third time that the Short n’ Sweet pop princess has taken to the Studio 8H stage in the last year, her appearance on the SNL50 Anniversary Special being her most recent. “Sabrina, can I ask you something one shorty to another?” Quinta poses. “When you eat ‘short rib,’ does it just taste like ‘rib?’” Carpenter hits back, asking, “When you read short stories, do they feel like novels?”
But the celebrity cameos don’t stop there. While Quinta and Sabrina continue singing, another special guest arrives from the wings of the stage — former NBA star Dwyane Wade. “What are you doing here?” Quinta asks, “You’re 6’4”.” That might be tall for the everyday person, but as Wade explains, that’s actually short when it comes to basketball standards. Overall, Brunson proves that she knows how to not only keep the audience laughing but also keep them on their toes, which is something you want out of a great SNL host. Here’s to hoping Quinta joins the Five-Timers Club down the road.
Related: Meet Wally Feresten, the Man Who’s Been Writing ‘SNL’s Cue Cards for 35 Years (Exclusive)
You can watch the full monologue here:
