Jack Black Returns to Saturday Night Live with Musical Panache, Comedy Sketches, and Surprise Celebrities Elton John and Brandi Carlile
Jack Black high-energy hosted Saturday Night Live on April 5, which returned to Studio 8H's legendary late-night show since 2005. The actor aged 55 brought his hallmark humor, music, and theatre to the set, accompanied by musical legends Elton John and Brandi Carlile.
During his opening monologue, Black jokingly teased the lengthy interval between his hosting stints. "I can't do it, it's too stressful, and to be honest, I do not have the nerve," he admitted to the audience—before an abrupt guitar riff silenced the audience. With a mic handed to him, Black dramatically declared that the music gave him “the power to host again,” launching into an electrifying musical medley with a somersault and a bold proclamation: “I’m back!
The rock-influenced opening continued with Black dancing through the audience, shouting greetings to former and current SNL cast members such as Kenan Thompson, Heidi Gardner, and Marcello Hernandez. The song lovingly mocked the numerous shows and movies he's worked on since 2005, ranging from Tenacious D to his blockbuster film roles and beyond.

All night, Black was featured in a series of highlight-reel sketches that showcased his comedic versatility. In one, he played a befuddled audience member at the world's first theatrical production in ancient Greece. In another, he appeared on a dating show as Indiana Jones, whip and fedora included, as a eager suitor.
One of the night's funniest moments came during a pretend commercial in which Black played a man in need of relief after the burning aftermath of consuming Flamin' Hot Cheetos—thanks to an imaginary over-the-counter pill. The heightened reactions and comedic timing had the crowd in stitches.
The evening's musical guests, Elton John (78) and Brandi Carlile (43), gave a heartfelt performance in their first time on stage together. They sang "Little Richard's Bible," one of the highlights from their just-released joint album Who Believes in Angels? They later came back to give a powerful performance of the album's title song, with the audience spellbound by the duo's commanding vocal chemistry.