THANK GOODNESS. We needed this so bad. The past few episodes have ranged from rough to okay, but we finally hit the standard again! All hail Jack Black — returning after an 20-year hiatus to save us from the post-50th slump. Just watch the opening monologue if you have any doubts. If you’re not smiling, you’re failing. (Also, yes, that is Kieran Culkin and Bill Burr in the audience).

The sketches that worked

• “Flamin’ Hot Commercial” has probably gotten the most online play since this episode aired, and for good reason. The energy is high, the comic premise is “there” enough to allow you to give in, and of course Black’s vibe is on point hilarious.
• Some could argue it went on a beat or two too long, but I never got sick of “Indiana Jones” thanks to Black’s totally earnest delivery.
• “Goth Kid on Vacation” = Loved it. No notes. “Look at photos of his big-boned girlfriend” will be on repeat in my mind for some time.
• It could have been so boring, but Black and Bowen Yang‘s faces in “One Uppers” saved the sketch. I maybe didn’t need Heidi Gardner‘s reveal at the end, but still dropping this one in the “works” category.
• When you see something as silly as “Making Love,” you have no choice but to agree that it works. Thanks for the “cham-pag-nay.”
• Not a sketch, but no review of this week’s episode would be complete with mention of Ego Nwodim‘s Weekend Update feature, “Ego Nwodim on the White House Correspondents‘ Dinner.” Addressing the crowd as “Miss Eggy”, she had everyone in stitches before breaking the internet with her “These men ain’t what?” call and response. She’s gorgeous, she’s hilarious, her expressions and vocal inflections are unmatched. We stan Ego.

The sketches that didn’t

• “The First Play” = Excellent idea, execution went on way too long.
• Same exact problem as above for “Bass Lake” — although you could make an argument for moving it up to the “works” category just for Black’s rendition of Petty’s classic and James Austin Johnson‘s “Get me to God’s Country” t-shirt.
• “Times Square Kiss“… I forgot about this one in the 30 minute span between watching the episode and writing this review.
• I’m almost done with these Elon Musk cold opens.

The musical GUESTS

For me, Brandi Carlile and Elton John have always been a couple of those artists I know have an incredible voices, but just can’t get into. Golly, these songs were boring as all get-out for me — even with the neon lights. But whether or not these two are your genre, you have to admit this was an quality performance and they can both really, truly sing (especially Carlile)!

Final thoughts

A great, solidly fun episode that brought the house down with some back-to-basics humor. Thanks, Jack!

My rating: 4.5/5