Marcello Hernández has long turned his upbringing into comedy, but on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, the Saturday Night Live star went deeper than the punchlines. In the episode, released Oct. 6, he talked about the cultural differences within his family, his mother’s complicated relationship with Cuba and why performing in Spanish means so much to him.
The wide-ranging conversation covers his Miami childhood, soccer, comedy, SNL and his Latino identity. Fellow SNL cast member Sarah Sherman also appears. Growing up with a Cuban mother and a Dominican father gave Hernández a front-row seat to two Caribbean cultures that share a lot, but each has a personality of its own.
Cuban vs. Dominican Culture, According to Marcello Hernández
Poehler told him she loves hearing him break down the differences between his mother’s and father’s cultures. He began with what the two share: the food is pretty much the same. Where they split, he said, is music. Cuba is more tied to salsa, while the Dominican Republic is known for merengue and bachata.
He then showed how the difference carries into language. Dominican Spanish, he explained, sounds a little higher and faster, and he slid between the two accents to give Poehler a live demonstration.
His Cuban Mom’s Story
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The conversation turned personal when Hernández described his mother leaving Cuba and building a life in the United States. He said it was a hard period because her belongings were taken, a reference to her experience under Cuba’s communist government.
Those experiences shaped how she saw her identity in America. According to Hernández, she leaned fully into being American and once even talked about changing the family’s last name to Smith. He said she was sad and embarrassed by what happened in Cuba and wanted to be fully American.
It’s a revealing detail, because his career now puts his Latino heritage front and center. His comedy draws on the accents, personalities and experiences of his childhood, even though his mother’s generation felt pressure to assimilate.
How His Family Shaped His SNL Comedy
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His Cuban-Dominican background has been part of his act since his first Weekend Update appearance in 2022, when he introduced himself with a joke about his parents’ origins and why they’re divorced. Family and Latino identity have stayed central to his material since then. His protective Latina mom sketch with Pedro Pascal drew on a dynamic he knew well, and his mother has often been cited as an influence.
In an earlier interview, he said he feels deeply connected to both sets of roots and that being from Miami is “a huge part of my comedy.”
Why Marcello Hernández Is Funnier in Spanish
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When Poehler asked whether he’s funnier in Spanish, his answer was an immediate yes. He said he’s fast in Spanish, and he has been doing stand-up and some touring in the language. His family, his girlfriend and his dad all think he’s better in Spanish, too.
He also discussed the growing world of Spanish-language stand-up and the comedians who paved the way for a newer generation. Traditional Spanish-language comedy, he said, often leaned on longer stories or political characters, so bringing the punchy, observational American style into an all-Spanish room can feel fresh.
For him, though, it’s about more than laughs. Performing for an all-Hispanic audience where everyone is laughing together feels powerful, especially given the current climate for Latino communities.
Latino Representation on SNL
Poehler praised the current SNL cast for bringing varied voices and experiences to the show, which she sees as key to keeping it reflective of its time. Hernández summed it up with a line of his own: “Latinos are having a moment.” He added that people should let them have it.
The Miami-born comedian joined SNL in 2022 and quickly became known for bilingual humor and distinctly Latino characters. His comedy still draws on his Cuban mother, his Dominican father and the cultural mix of Miami.