SNL Scorecard: Jack Black / Elton John & Brandi Carlile

Most Saturday Night Live hosts in recent years have fallen into one of two camps: first-timers, such as last week's host Mikey Madison, or perpetual show faves like Adam Driver, Ryan Gosling, Kristen Wiig, John Mulaney, all of whom have hosted-- some multiple times --in the last couple seasons. This weekend's host Jack Black bucked that trend by being a returning host... but also one whose return came some 20-odd years after his first stint, despite him arguably being as big (if not bigger) a name in comedy lore as he was in 2004.

It may be too far back for many of you to remember-- it just so happens to be one of the first full episodes of SNL I remember watching --but the standard set by Jack Black’s last hosting gig in 2004 was enormously high. That may actually be an understatement; it is widely considered to be perhaps one of the greatest SNL episodes ever. This isn't me talking, it's a topic that has been discussed on my beloved and oft-referenced Seth Meyers and The Lonely Island Podcast, and has emerged in online circles as well. This season has been very uneven, as was the season before and the season before that, and skeptics may wonder if the people involved had the gumption to replicate that 2004 feat. In that regard, it was perhaps helpful for expectations that the show was coming off a pretty weak episode the week prior, and truth be told, is in the middle of a few years in which truly great episodes have been few and far between.

And it turns out? Jack Black was just what the doctor ordered. The guy simply exudes energy, and that was true in this show from start to finish. His 150% commitment to every bit throughout the night elevated would-be bad sketches to at least fun ones, would-be decent ones to hilarious ones, and already hilarious ones to some of the best of the season thus far. It's amazing what a dynamic host, and a cast and writers room that match his energy can do to help the tenor of a middling stretch for a popular show.

One note in case you forgot- I know my rankings can seem a little arbitrary, and truthfully there have been times where even I will look back at scorecards and think "Now, why did I rate (x) an 8.5, if (x) from this other episode was only a 7...?". So, both to hopefully clear up my scoring system for any curious readers, but also really to help keep myself consistent, here is the rubric to reference:

10/10: Perfect, no notes

8-9.5/10: Very funny-to-hilarious, definite rewatch

6-7.5/10: Pretty funny-to-funny, but won't necessarily be a rewatch

4-5.5/10: Not BAD, but not particularly funny or memorable

1-3.5/10: Terrible/poor taste, to simply bad/unfunny

Here's the sketch-by-sketch breakdown of the 16th episode of the season:

Sketch of the Night

"Goth Kid on Vacation": 8.5/10

It’s felt like a really long time (perhaps since the departure of Chris Redd?) since SNL had a great prepped musical bit. Leave it to Jack Black to be the host to bring that back. Though, in fairness, plenty credit here goes to the writers for this hilarious concept, and to Ego Nwodim and Kenan for setting the stage with their inch-perfect reenactment of a Jamaican reggae track. (Side note: who knew “Welcome To The Black Parade” went so hard with a reggae beat??)

The Good

“Weekend Update": 9/10

Weekend Update’s been good most of this season, and most of the last few years, too, but this was among the best of this season at least, if not more than that. Che and Jost were throwing heaters with their jokes, including a couple at their own (or at least the show’s own) expense. The energy was infectious from them, a matter that was only helped by the walk-on appearances. First, the return of Marcello and Jane Wickline’s “couple you can’t believe are together,” as every bit as hilarious and delightful as their first appearance. What the hell, I’m sold; I’m rooting for those crazy kids. And to close the update out, a show-stopping performance from Ego Nwodim: yes, it was the unexpected fervor with which the audience responded to her that made for a viral clip, but even without that, this would have been one of Ego’s best ever Update appearances.

“One Uppers": 8/10

This one ended too abruptly, and it took me a little while to get into it, but man, once I was in I was all the way in. A simple, dumb premise, but the increasing diversity in sound effects and ferocity in looks to the camera were killing me.

“Indiana Jones": 7.5/10

Andrew Dismukes brings an entirely different vibe to the “unimpressed game show host” character from Bill Hader, but he channeled some classic Hader energy here. I often harp about sketches that go on too long, but I wanted this one to go on longer! Dismukes’ interplay with Jack Black— but really all three “bachelors” — was tons of fun, and it felt like the energy had just started rolling, when the sketch came to an end!

"Flamin' Hot Commercial": 7/10

A simple, juvenile joke, but I love a crazy fake SNL ad, and Jack Black’s commitment to it made it worthwhile.

"Making Love": 7/10

Loads of fun, as is usually the case when ropes and pulleys get added to the equation. Second “singing while levitating” sketch we’ve gotten in three episodes! Unlike past instances, though, no real technical mishaps here— so kudos to the crew —and while punchlines weren’t all that plentiful, this was a highly enjoyable, often witty, and even somewhat sweet bit.

“Monologue": 7/10

It may not have been the funniest monologue in the world— in fact, it really only included a couple jokes —but if you had any doubts whether Jack Black has still got it, he quickly quelled them. This was electric, fun and got the crowd fired up from the start, which set the tone for a high-energy show. 

“Times Square Kiss": 6.5/10

One of a couple solid 10-to-1 sketches. A decently funny joke throughout— and worth it to see Heidi Gardener barely keeping it together —but the closing 1-2 punch was some delicious ‘yuk-yuk’ comedy.

“Trump Tariff Cold Open": 6.5/10

The best (well, only good) part of these political times is that I don’t and fear I never will tire of JAJ’s Trump like I did with Alec Baldwin’s. The writing for James had started to get a little stale, but this was a step back in the right direction, in large part because it truly felt like he was just freewheeling up there, rather than trying to recite canned lines. But speaking of impressions I’m already tired of…this sketch lost any momentum it had when Mike Myers’ weirdly off and downright annoying Elon came out.

“Bass Lake": 6/10

This was a great sketch to air late in the show. It was so dumb, but I was already slap-happy and riding the high of what had been a remarkably fun episode by this point. I giggled with the addition of each different bass line.

“The First Play": 6/10

This had potential to be really funny, but it sort of tuckered out. I think it was just trying too hard to channel the ‘George Washington sketch’ energy, but didn’t have as many novel things to say. Still some good moments in here, even if the sketch wasn’t memorable.

Musical Performances

Elton John & Brandi Carlile: 7/10

I admittedly had not heard and know nothing about Who Believes In Angels?, the brand new collaboration album from pop legend Elton John and new-age folk-rock icon Brandi Carlile, but I do have a strong appreciation for if not deep knowledge of the discographies of both figures. They’re not a musical duo I would lump together stylistically, so I was curious to see how— and what —they performed together. 

The answer came first in the performance of “Little Richard’s Bible,” a throwback, good ol’ fashioned rock and roll song. It was fun, to be sure— lots of volume, lots of tempo —but Elton’s vocals aren’t what they used to be, and perhaps by design, you could barely hear Brandi. Good energy but not a memorable tune.

I was thankful, then, that for the second performance, they opted for a performance of the title track, which is a slower ballad that allowed Brandi to flex her trademark pipes a little more. A real pretty tune, too. Solid set from the two of them all around.

OVERALL SCORE: 7.17 ('Comedy Only' score: 7.18)