Saturday Night Live
Jack Black and Elton John & Brandi Carlile
April 5, 2025
I don’t know why it’s been 20 years since Jack Black hosted Saturday Night Live — did he have something against Kate McKinnon? — but he came roaring back this week with more energy than all the other season 50 hosts combined. Jack Black is a reliable comedic force. Is he a bit much? Yes, often. But sometimes SNL needs that wackiness, it needs someone who can — through a sheer act of will and ability to mug for the camera — force a laugh out of the audience. The sketches in this episode were for the most part very dumb, but thanks to Black’s insistent clownery and manic energy, I found myself amused more often than not. SNL needs to not wait another 20 years to bring him back; he’s more than earned that five-timers jacket next time around.