Jack Black Reflects on SNL Experience and Lorne Michaels’ Cautionary Tale
In a recent episode of the "Fly on the Wall" podcast, hosted by David Spade and Dana Carvey, Jack Black shared a memorable story from his appearance on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), where he hosted last month. The actor, who has a long history with the show, recounted a humorous yet cautionary tale from Lorne Michaels, SNL’s legendary creator.
Michaels reminisced about the show’s early days, specifically a moment when Desi Arnaz, then in his 70s, performed his iconic "Babalú" number during a 1976 episode. Despite Arnaz’s status as a beloved icon, Michaels expressed concern over his physical struggle while performing. “Desi’s lips started to turn blue,” Black recounted, explaining that Lorne had eventually cut to commercial for fear that Arnaz might be in distress.
Black humorously pondered whether Michaels shared this story to warn him about overexerting himself during his own performance. “I was like, ‘Wait a second, are you telling me this story because you’re worried I’m going to die?’” he quipped, acknowledging the pressure of performing live in Studio 8H.
The 55-year-old actor, who has hosted SNL multiple times since 2002, described his latest experience as “cray cray” while expressing excitement about interacting with the current cast, many of whom he affectionately referred to as “kids.” Black noted that he was feeling a mix of excitement and pressure leading up to the show, highlighting the unique nature of SNL’s fast-paced production.
As the show celebrates its 50th season, Black’s reflections reveal both the legacy of SNL and the enduring influence of its creator, Lorne Michaels, on generations of comedic talent.
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