In yet another sign of Marcello Hernández’s rising star on the comedy scene, the Saturday Night Live cast member’s debut Netflix special was the streamer’s second most-watched stand-up special of the first half of 2026.
Marcello Hernández: American Boy, which premiered Jan. 7, drew 9.2 million views during the period, according to Netflix’s latest viewing report. The only stand-up special to score higher was Katt Williams’ The Last Report, which drew 11.3 million views.
Not bad company for a first hour. Williams is an established Netflix draw with four specials for the streamer under his belt, while American Boy marked Hernández’s first standalone TV showcase after several years of building momentum on SNL.
The news arrives during an especially busy week for Hernández, who hosted the 2026 ESPY Awards Wednesday night on ABC and made his Hot Ones debut Thursday. Next week, he’ll be back on Netflix in 72 Hours, the new Kevin Hart comedy set to debut on Friday, July 24.
American Boy was taped across two performances in Hernández’s hometown of Miami, Florida, last September. In the special, Hernández covers his upbringing as a first-generation American, born to a mother who immigrated from Cuba and a father who immigrated from the Dominican Republic.
“This hour is my whole life, you know? It’s my baby. It’s my wedding,” Hernández said at the time, calling the special “a fun love letter to my upbringing and my family.”
Hernández just completed his fourth season on SNL, where he has broken through with sketches including “Protective Mom,” “Immigrant Dad Talk Show,” and the “Domingo” series, along with regular appearances on “Weekend Update.” He joined the show in 2022, just months after performing at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival.
Marcello Hernández: American Boy is streaming now on Netflix. The comic is expected to return for SNL‘s 52nd season this fall.
