It had been twenty years. Think about that for a second. The last time Jack Black stood on the home base stage at Studio 8H as a host, the world didn't even have iPhones. So, when the lights came up for SNL April 5 2025, the air felt different. It wasn't just another episode of the 50th anniversary season; it was a homecoming for one of the most chaotic, lovable energies in the show’s history.
Jack Black didn't just walk out; he exploded.
Honestly, the "Tenacious D" star looked like he hadn't aged a day in spirit. Promoting A Minecraft Movie, which had just hit theaters the day before, Black used his monologue to remind everyone why he’s a unicorn in Hollywood. He performed a high-octane musical number about his two-decade hiatus, complete with a few characteristic high-kicks and some serious vocal gymnastics.
The crowd was electric. Seeing his School of Rock co-stars in the audience? That was the icing on the cake. It set a tone that the rest of the night actually managed to maintain, which is no small feat for a show currently juggling the weight of its own fifty-year legacy.
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The Elton John and Brandi Carlile Factor
You don't usually see "Rocket Man" himself doing a late-night gig at 78 years old. But this wasn't a solo run. SNL April 5 2025 featured a rare collaborative performance between Elton John and Brandi Carlile. They were there to promote their new joint album, Who Believes in Angels?, which dropped the same weekend.
The chemistry was palpable. They performed "Little Richard’s Bible" first, a soulful, rock-leaning anthem that utilized Elton’s iconic piano work and Brandi’s powerhouse vocals. Later in the show, they came back for the title track, "Who Believes in Angels?". It’s one of those performances people will be clipping on YouTube for years. Elton looked genuinely happy to be there, and Brandi? She’s basically an SNL veteran at this point, but playing alongside a legend seemed to unlock a new level for her.
Sketches That Actually Landed
We’ve all seen those episodes where the sketches feel like they’re dragging on for ten minutes too long. This wasn't one of them. The writers leaned into Jack Black’s physicality.
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- The First Play: Set in Ancient Greece, this sketch featured Black as a confused director trying to explain the concept of "acting" to a group of skeptical citizens (Mikey Day and Chloe Fineman).
- Goth Kid on Vacation: A weirdly wholesome musical bit where a reggae duo (Kenan Thompson and Ego Nwodim) sang about a goth kid (Michael Longfellow) trying to enjoy a sunny family cruise. Black popped in as a depressed snorkeling instructor.
- One Uppers: A classic dinner-party-gone-wrong scenario where Black and Sarah Sherman tried to out-do each other with increasingly absurd life tragedies.
The "Making Love" song during the middle of the show was a highlight, too. It featured Black and Sherman as a couple singing a truly bizarre ballad about their first time, with Brandi Carlile even popping in for a cameo. It was peak "weird SNL," and the audience ate it up.
Why This Episode Mattered for Season 50
Season 50 has been a bit of a tightrope walk. There’s a lot of pressure to honor the past while staying relevant. By bringing back a host like Jack Black—who bridges the gap between the early 2000s era and the modern day—the show found a sweet spot.
The cameo from Mike Myers was a massive surprise. When Myers stepped out to say "Live from New York" for the 18th time in his career, it felt like a genuine moment of history. He tied with Bobby Moynihan and Chloe Fineman for 29th place in the all-time "Live from New York" count. It's those little stats that SNL nerds live for.
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Weekend Update Highlights
Colin Jost and Michael Che were in top form, mostly because the news cycle that week was particularly ridiculous. But the real stars of the desk were the guests.
- Grant and Alyssa: Marcello Hernández and Jane Wickline returned as the "Couple You Can’t Believe Are Together." Their deadpan delivery is becoming a staple of the season.
- Ego Nwodim: She appeared as a spokesperson for the White House Correspondents' Association, delivering a sharp, satirical take on DC culture that had the audience howling.
What You Should Watch First
If you're catching up on the highlights, start with the "Bass Lake" sketch. It’s a potluck jam session led by "Big Ricky and the Minnows" (Black, Thompson, and Andrew Dismukes). It features almost the entire cast and is pure, unadulterated chaos. It’s the kind of sketch that only works when the host is willing to look completely ridiculous, and Jack Black is the king of that.
SNL April 5 2025 proved that even after 50 years, the show can still find its groove when it stops trying too hard to be "important" and just remembers to be funny.
What to do next
If you want to dive deeper into this specific era of the show, check out the "Cut-for-Time" animated short called The Great Battle. It’s a bizarre 2D animation featuring voices from Jack Black and Kenan Thompson that didn't make the live broadcast but is arguably better than half the stuff that did. You can find it on the official SNL YouTube channel or the Peacock "Extras" tab for Season 50.
Also, if you’re a fan of the music, the Elton John and Brandi Carlile album Who Believes in Angels? is now available on all streaming platforms. Their SNL performances were the first time many of those tracks were heard live, and they definitely hold up on the studio recording.