Sabrina Carpenter
Self
Overview
Pop icon Sabrina Carpenter jingles all the bells in her first-ever variety music special full of holiday hits, unexpected duets and comedic cameos.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Holiday Special That Doesn’t Give a Damn (And That’s the Point)
I’ll admit it: I went into A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter expecting something safe. Another glossy, rote holiday special, the kind that arrives like clockwork every December, all tinsel and no teeth. But within the first five minutes—after Sabrina Carpenter strides onstage in a sequined Santa minidress, deadpans “This is either going to be the best night of your life or the reason you finally cancel Netflix,” and then launches into a cover of “Last Christmas” with Chappell Roan while the two of them dramatically reenact the song’s heartbreak with over-the-top hand gestures—I realized this wasn’t going to be safe at all.
It wasn’t even trying to be.
That’s the thing about A Nonsense Christmas: it doesn’t care if you “get” it. It doesn’t care if you find the humor too niche, the musical numbers too campy, or the sketches too absurd. It’s a holiday special that winks at the audience while simultaneously giving them the middle finger—a meta, self-aware romp that leans so hard into the chaos of its own format that it circles back around to feeling intentional.
As The Globe and Mail put it, this is “cozy, comforting and familiar,” but only if you’re willing to accept that “familiar” now includes a sketch where Quinta Brunson, Nico Hiraga, and Cara Delevingne play the “ghosts of ghosted past, present, and future” in a Christmas Carol parody that devolves into a debate about whether “soft launching” someone on Instagram counts as a breakup.
The special is, at its core, a love letter to the variety show format—one that hasn’t really existed in its purest form since the days of The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour or The Dean Martin Christmas Show. But where those shows were polished to a mirror shine, A Nonsense Christmas feels like it was filmed in two days (because it was) and improvised on the spot (because much of it was).
The result is something that’s equal parts exhilarating and uneven, like watching a live taping where the cast is one missed cue away from descending into full-blown anarchy. And that’s not a bug—it’s the point.
Take the musical numbers. Carpenter’s voice is, as always, a silky instrument, capable of selling both the saccharine (“Santa Baby” with Shania Twain, which somehow manages to feel both nostalgic and fresh) and the silly (“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” with Kali Uchis, which devolves into a pillow fight that ends with Uchis dramatically flopping onto a couch like she’s been shot).
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.6/10
"A festive, chaotic musical romp that charms with its energy but frustrates with its lack of depth."
The holiday special delivers high-energy musical performances and a playful, absurd tone that many find entertaining and refreshing. However, the thin plot and reliance on inside jokes leave some viewers feeling underwhelmed, especially those expecting a more structured narrative. The star-studded cast’s chemistry and Sabrina Carpenter’s charisma keep it engaging, but the overall experience feels more like a variety show than a cohesive story.
What viewers praise
- Energetic musical numbers The performances are lively and well-choreographed, making the musical segments a standout.
- Star-studded cast chemistry The interactions between Sabrina Carpenter, Cara Delevingne, and the rest of the ensemble add charm and humor.
- Playful, absurd tone The chaotic, nonsensical approach to Christmas themes is seen as a fun and unique twist on holiday specials.
- Visually festive The production design and costumes create a vibrant, holiday-appropriate aesthetic.
Common complaints
- Thin and disjointed plot The lack of a coherent storyline makes it feel more like a sketch show than a movie.
- Over-reliance on inside jokes Some humor falls flat for viewers unfamiliar with the cast’s dynamics or pop-culture references.
- Uneven pacing The runtime feels rushed in some parts and dragged in others, disrupting the flow.
- Lack of emotional depth The absurdity, while fun, leaves little room for meaningful moments or character development.
Recommended for
Fans of Sabrina Carpenter Holiday variety show lovers Musical comedy enthusiasts Cara Delevingne admirers Lighthearted absurdity seekers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsSabrina Carpenter’s ‘A Nonsense Christmas’ Brings Star-Studded Holiday Chaos to Netflix
Sabrina Carpenter is ringing in the holidays with her first-ever variety special, A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter, a star-packed, music-filled romp that premiered on Netflix December 6, 2024. Directed by Sam Wrench—known for his work on high-energy concert specials like Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour—the project blends holiday cheer, unexpected duets, and comedic cameos into a festive spectacle. But behind the tinsel and jingle bells, the special’s creation hints at Carpenter’s growing clout as both a performer and producer.
A Holiday Special Born from Carpenter’s ‘Fruitcake’ EP
The special isn’t just a one-off performance—it’s a companion piece to Carpenter’s 2024 Christmas EP, Fruitcake 
. The project features her performing tracks from the EP alongside holiday classics, reimagined with her signature pop flair. Sources suggest the special was designed to showcase Carpenter’s versatility, blending scripted sketches with live musical performances . While details about the setlist remain scarce, the inclusion of duets with high-profile guests (more on that below) suggests a mix of original material and crowd-pleasing covers.
Carpenter executive-produced the special alongside a team including Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, and Simone Spire, signaling her hands-on approach to shaping her public image . The collaboration with Wrench, whose resume includes visually dynamic concert films, likely ensured the special’s fast-paced, cinematic energy—a departure from traditional holiday variety shows.
A Star-Studded Guest List (and Some Wild Cameos)
A Nonsense Christmas isn’t just about Carpenter’s vocals—it’s a showcase for her ability to assemble an A-list ensemble. Confirmed cast members include model-turned-actress Cara Delevingne, singer-songwriter Chappell Roan, and Broad City alum Jillian Bell 
. The special also features Kali Uchis, Kyle Mooney, Megan Stalter, Nico Hiraga, Owen Thiele, and Abbott Elementary star Quinta Brunson, though their exact roles remain under wraps [5].
ScreenRant’s cameo guide teases that the special leans into “brief holiday-themed sketches” alongside musical performances, suggesting the guests may pop up in both comedic and musical segments [4]. Teen Vogue’s coverage hints at “unexpected duets,” though specifics—like whether Delevingne or Roan join Carpenter on stage—haven’t been confirmed . Given Carpenter’s recent rise as a pop powerhouse (and her history of collaborating with friends, like her Espresso tour opener Chappell Roan), the special could double as a reunion of sorts for her inner circle.
Behind the Scenes: A Passion Project or Strategic Move?
While the special’s tone is lighthearted—“nonsense” is right there in the title—its timing feels deliberate. Carpenter’s 2024 has been a breakout year, from her Espresso tour to her chart-topping album Short n’ Sweet. A holiday special positions her as a multifaceted entertainer, not just a singer but a host and producer capable of curating a major event.
The Netflix release also aligns with the streaming giant’s push into holiday content, following successes like The Christmas Chronicles and Jingle Jangle. Carpenter’s involvement as an executive producer suggests she had creative control, a rarity for artists in their first variety special [2]. Whether this is a one-off experiment or the start of a larger foray into TV remains to be seen, but the special’s star power and Carpenter’s growing industry influence make it a notable entry in her career.
What’s Next?
For now, A Nonsense Christmas stands as a festive capper to Carpenter’s blockbuster year. Fans can expect a mix of original music, holiday standards, and chaotic cameos—though without a full setlist or behind-the-scenes footage, the special’s surprises are still under wraps. If the project’s reception is strong, it could pave the way for more Carpenter-led productions, holiday or otherwise.
One thing’s certain: Sabrina Carpenter isn’t just jingling bells this Christmas—she’s rewriting the rules of the holiday special.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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