Jack Black's Fifth Hosting Stint on Saturday Night Live Delivers a Standout Episode
Jack Black has returned to host Saturday Night Live for the fifth time, marking a significant milestone in his nearly 27-year relationship with the iconic television show. His first appearance dates back to May 1998 as part of the musical duo Tenacious D, and since then, he has helmed numerous fan-favorite episodes. After a mysterious two-decade gap, Black triumphantly hosted last year, and tonight, he took the reins once again, sparking the question: will he become a Saturday Night star once more?
Kenan Thompson's Charles Barkley Impression and Political Humor
In one sketch, Kenan Thompson delivered his tried-and-true impression of Charles Barkley, describing a game as "miraca-tacular." Thompson's Barkley waded into politics, referencing Iran and Pam Bondi, with the season's breakout star Ashley Padilla appearing as Bondi to provide "equal time" to the other side. Padilla's Bondi quipped, "So glad to be at the final four ... years of this country," offering a breath of fresh air in an episode where a certain expected figure did not show up.
The Exclusive Five-Timer's Club Celebration
True SNL nerds are familiar with the Five-Timer's Club bits, a running gag that debuted when Tom Hanks hit the mark in 1990, created by then-co-writers Conan O'Brien and Bob Odenkirk. Tonight, Black was welcomed into this exclusive club with cameos from fellow regular hosts Jonah Hill and Tina Fey, who joked, "You're officially the first Black in the Five-Timer's Club!" The monologue also featured Melissa McCarthy shotgunning a beer, an appearance from 70s-era SNL icon Candice Bergen, and Black performing a take-off on Seven Nation Army alongside musical guest Jack White, making it one of the most memorable monologues in recent memory.
Ashley Padilla's Character-Driven Sketch
Ashley Padilla continued to shine in a character-driven sketch where she played a chatty Kathy, obnoxiously chiming in on other people's conversations, much to their chagrin and Black's anger. The sketch used long silences to punctuate the joke of everyone valiantly attempting to ignore Padilla, further cementing her starpower and ability to create quirky characters reminiscent of Kristen Wiig, albeit with a sudden ending.
Musical and Comedic Collaborations
Jack Black's comedic-musical acumen was on full display in a sketch where he and James Austin Johnson crooned a song from the heartland about forgetting important advice. The premise was inspired, sounding like something that could be on the radio, and Jack White elevated the sketch by materializing to shred a guitar, only to forget the notes as well. In another sketch, Black paired his manic energy with Marcello Hernández's boisterous style as martial arts instructors, featuring dubious accents and a memorable line directed at cast member Ben Marshall: "Big carrot, you don't believe in me?"
Weekend Update Highlights
On Weekend Update, anchor Colin Jost noted, "This week, attorney general Pam Bondi was asked to redact herself from her job." Co-anchor Michael Che upped the ante by referring to Trump attending a performance of Chicago at the Kennedy Center: "I think it's cool the President is going to the theater. What's the worst that could happen?" Sarah Sherman made an appearance as Kristi Noem's husband, wearing large, fake breasts, while new cast member Kam Patterson guested as Professor Snape with lines that made Jost squirm.
Final Sketches and Episode Closure
In a sketch where warriors were chosen like a pick-up basketball game, Black's schlubby appearance led to him being left out, but he delivered a solid ending as the last man standing, quipping, "Well, looks like it's just me and all the women of Sparta," while putting on shades as the Oh Yeah sting from Yello played. The final sketch of the night featured Black as a creepy Airbnb host, with Melissa McCarthy as his equally-insane wife, injecting energy into the usually weird 10-to-1 slot. McCarthy's character bent Jeremy Culhane over, squirting lotion and blowing a raspberry on his back, ending the episode on a high note after one of the best episodes of the season.
