Laughter filled Xfinity Center on Sunday as comedian Marcello Hernández took to the stage to kick off the University of Maryland’s homecoming week with SEE’s comedy show.

Hernández, who performed at Colin Jost’s homecoming comedy show in 2022, returned to campus for a night of stand-up, storytelling and shared laughs. His set covered a variety of personal topics, from childhood shenanigans to the many differences between white and Latino people. He even touched on pressing issues like gender, mental health and friendship.

His announcement as the 2025 Homecoming Comedy headliner generated buzz among students at this university. Some recognized Hernández from NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where he has been a cast member since 2022.

“I just knew he was from SNL, and I watched the clips online,” Katerina Floros, a freshman chemistry major, said. “So I was like, that sounds pretty fun.”
Others, like Ava Cook, a freshman biology and biological sciences major, and Noah Oppelt, a freshman aerospace engineering major, added that while they don’t watch SNL regularly, they were super excited to see a cast member live.

For some, like Reed Thomas, the announcement felt especially meaningful.

“I was really excited, because my household, we watch SNL, so we love Marcello,” the freshman secondary English education major said.

Many recognized Hernández from one sketch in particular — the recurring “Domingo,” which first appeared in 2024. It quickly became an unbeatable pop culture sensation, according to Oppelt.

“I always see the Domingo clips, and it’s probably my favorite sketch right now,” said Floros.

Domingo’s viral success set the stage for Hernández’s live performance, where fans eagerly anticipated the same banter and charm he brought to the screen.

Before he took to the stage, Hernández had two openers, comedian Matt Richards and fellow Saturday Night Live cast member Tommy Brennan. Richards set the tone for the evening by poking fun at the chaotic events of 2025, keeping things playful and fun.

After Richards, Brennan performed a set that focused on growing up Catholic with many sisters.

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Hernández’s own set drew consistent audience engagement and laughs all around.

Siobhan Nunn, a freshman anthropology and English major, said Hernández particularly excelled at certain jokes.

“He was definitely poking fun at a lot of racial groups,” Nunn said. “I thought it was still nice that he was saying we could just all make fun of each other. ”

Some students applauded Hernández’s handling of jokes about sensitive topics like gender. Rather than relying on cheap shots or stereotypes, they felt his jokes were funny while staying respectful.

“Sometimes, male comedians, they’ll talk about women, and they’ll be kind of punching down,” Thomas said. “But a lot of his comedy about women was actually uplifting.”

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Students also praised Hernández’s comedic techniques, such as his dynamic movements, dramatic exclamations and use of repetition, which were interspersed throughout the set.

“When he’s on SNL, he does a lot of crazy body theatrics and stuff. And I love that he still did that here,” Nunn said.

As Hernández’s performance came to a close, students like Nunn appreciated his fresh energy and enthusiasm, and students like Thomas loved his cleverness and repetition.

Students still laughed as they repeated his jokes leaving Xfinity Center.

When asked if they’d see a set of his again, Thomas and Nunn’s answers were quick — “Oh yes, yes, 100 percent.”