Marcello Hernández is many things. He’s a comedian. He’s a self-proclaimed short king. He’s Domingo, the suave lothario lover of Saturday Night Live fame.

Most importantly, he’s the proud son of a single Cuban immigrant mother — and in “American Boy,” he doesn’t let you forget that.

Hernández’s debut stand-up comedy special was released Jan. 7 on Netflix. Taped in his hometown of Miami, the hour-long set covers Hernández’s Latino upbringing, mental health and close yet chaotic bond with his mother, Isabel Cancela.

Poking fun at his mom is nothing new for Hernández. In his four years at SNL, he’s starred in multiple sketches riffing on her strong-willed, overbearing attitude. But in this special, their relationship takes center stage: Hernández spends much of the set joking about Cancela’s blunt, overprotective nature and heavy-handed approach to parenting.

Laced under all Hernández’s stories of his mother — including one about her hitting him in the women’s bathroom at the mall — is an air of reverence. She may have hired her friend to pose as Child Protective Services to scare a young Hernández straight, but he maintains that her discipline got him to where he is today.

Growing up as the only boy in a house full of women also means that Hernández has “seen too much.” He spends much of his set regaling the audience about the secretly barbaric world of womankind, from Brazilian waxes and bodysuits to the brutalities of the menstrual cycle.

“Women are very scary, and they live a violent life behind the scenes,” Hernández jokes. “I have seen what you hide.” 

None of these jokes are new or particularly witty, but they are endearing and certainly harmless. Hernández delivers his punch lines with the frenetic, wild-eyed innocence of an overcaffeinated second grader, often punctuating his punchlines with a well-timed shriek.

It’s clear the comedic niche he’s trying to carve for himself here is animated, over-the-top and bordering on caricatured. At times, he hams up his Cuban accent for laughs; at others, he puts on an overly affected American accent to mock his midwestern frat boy contemporaries. 

It’s goofy, it’s sweet, but it’s nothing groundbreaking.

Ironically, the real power in “American Boy” comes from Hernández’s unwavering pride in his Latino heritage. He breaks into dance while talking about childhood parties with his Cuban family and launches into song while telling a story about Miami dance music. His culture permeates his comedy, though not to the extent that it feels contrived.

The set takes a slightly somber turn toward the end of the special, when Hernández turns to discuss the recent rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric under the Trump administration. It’s clear he’s unaccustomed to political commentary, but his parting message is clear: Despite all his jokes at its expense, his immigrant community is here to stay.

All in all, Hernández’s debut special is a buoyant introduction to his comedy prowess beyond the SNL stage. Even when leaning on the occasional cliché, he’s sincere, he’s charming and he’s clearly got the chops for showbiz success — Domingo or not.

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