SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Episode 1880 — Pictured: (l-r) Musical guest Brandi Carlile & Elton John, Host … More Jack Black, and Heidi Gardner during Promos in Studio 8H on Thursday, April 3, 2025 —
Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty Images
Jack Black returned to host Saturday Night Live with musical guests Elton John and Brandi Carlile. The School of Rock star had previously hosted thrice between 2002 and 2005. In 2006, he also appeared once as a musical guest as part of Tenacious D. Elton John returned as a musical guest: the ‘Rocket Man’ singer first appeared on the show in 1982 as a musical guest for an episode famously hosted by Johnny Cash and acted as a host and musical guest in 2011.
It has been 20 years since Black hosted; however, he brought an infectious energy to the show, which may lead some to ask, “Why such a big gap?”
Cold Open
It is good that James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump impression is so good because the show tends to lean on it for its Cold Opens. In this iteration, Trump gives a speech about tariffs. He is joined by Andrew Dismukes as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Mike Myers as Elon Musk. Johnson also slips in a jab at last week’s musical guest, Morgan Wallen, by saying, “Get me to God’s country,” a phrase the country star posted on Instagram after walking out of ‘goodnights’ on his episode.
Monologue
Black delivers a singing monologue about being back that is just too much fun. This isn’t the first time that he has sung in an SNL monologue, but it feels right for his brand of comedy and his return to the show to bring it back. He enters the crowd and brings on cast members, including Kenan Thompson. Notably, Black’s second time hosting in 2003 was also Thompson’s first episode on the cast. This is what a monologue during the 50th season should look like.
Indiana Jones
Sometimes, the game show premise can get a little stale on SNL because it is done so often. However, this one is surprisingly fresh. In it, a blind dating show gets interrupted by one bachelor’s outfit choice. It’s cute and punchy and knows exactly how to end. Dismukes also really shines as the irked host.
Flamin’ Hot Commercial
Black just can’t get enough Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, even on a product that shouldn’t be synonymous with spice. Having a CGI Chester Cheetah is fun, and the commercial parody almost always works on SNL. There is nothing wrong with this sketch, but on a night of really inventive and fun sketches, it feels a little one-note.
One Uppers
When a group of college friends gets together for the first time in years, their old habit of trying to one-up each other reemerges. This sketch makes excellent use of sound effects, which really heightens the simple premise. Using random hawk sound effects feels a little more Adult Swim than SNL, but it’s funny, and the performers’ reactions are great. While the final beat doesn’t really work, this sketch feels inventive and amusing.
First Play
In Athens, around 500 BC, theater is invented. However, the audience at the first play doesn’t understand the new art medium. Black turns in a good performance and the sketch has a silly charm to it, but it relies a little too heavily on one joke.
Goth Kid on Vacation
Reggae singers, played by Ego Nwodim and Thompson, sing about a goth teen (played by Michael Longfellow) on a family vacation to Jamaica. They are joined by Black as Gerard Way. It’s a very funny song that features a characteristically excellent performance from Longfellow. Warning: it’s very catchy.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile perform
The duo performed two songs: “Little Richard’s Bible” and “Who Believes in Angels?” The first, “Little Richard’s Bible,” is an especially fun performance. It is high energy, and seeing John still able to rock out at the piano at 78 is terrific.
Weekend Update
Weekend Update was good overall, with jokes about the stock market and Wallen, as well as returning characters Grant and Alyssa (the couple you can’t believe are still together). However, if you are going to watch one segment, make it Nwodin’s pitch to be the White House Correspondents Dinner comedian. She previews her set, roasting the dinner as Ms. Eggy, the baddest chick on the block. It’s such a realized yet ridiculous character. Her commitment to the bit is hilarious, and her crowd interactions with the crowd (and subsequent improv) are infectious. Honestly, this is the hardest this writer has laughed this season.
Making Love
Black and Sarah Sherman are about to make love, and of course, they need to sing a song about it in their silk pajamas. Bowen Yang and Carlile join in the action. This sketch is silly fun.
Bass Lake
A jam session with Big Ricky and the Minnows gets dangerous when too many bass players join in on the action. This sketch really plays to Black’s strengths while still casting him against type as the straight man. The use of Tom Petty’s Free Falling and the location of a Southern lakeside bar also work very well in this sketch.
Time Square Kiss
It’s Times Square. WWII is over. Heidi Gardner plays a nurse who is kissed by a sailor. However, her boyfriend (played by Black) is upset. While this sketch could have been simple, there are a lot of zany jokes that build on the premise, including Black being a racist cartoonist and holding too many hotdogs. This sketch also has a great ending.
Bonus: The Great Battle
While this animated short was cut for time, it is a fun little sketch. Two kings hope to take each other on in an epic battle if only they could find each other. These animated shorts are a great addition to the season, and while this isn’t the best one, it is still worth a watch.
SNL returns April 12 with host Jon Hamm and Lizzo.
