As of this writing, Jack Black has hosted Saturday Night Live four times and appeared twice as the musical guest as part of the duo Tenacious D. These are huge accomplishments—but given his enormous profile as a film star and music-comedy giant, it’s easy to wonder why he was never hired for the sketch show’s main cast. (The pairing seems obvious, right? Imagine the alternate universe where he and Will Ferrell are trading lines.)
But that missed opportunity wasn’t SNL’s fault. Black simply never auditioned for the show, despite having a bizarre plan in place for how he’d approach it. In a laid-back chat with SNL alumnus Amy Poehler on her Good Hangpodcast, the actor opened up about his hilarious yet aborted concept—and how his own insecurities may have prevented him from taking that potentially life-changing plunge.
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Responding to Poehler’s suggestion that he "could have been a cast member," Black was confident that she’s wrong: "No, I don’t think I could," he said. "I don’t think I could handle it week in and week out. Once every 20 years is more my speed for that gig." (His first hosting spot was January 19, 2002. His most recent was on April 5, 2025.) "I did want to audition, but then I didn’t audition," he said. "I had an idea in mind that I never went and followed through with."
"Well, I don’t want to repeat it because now it really sounds stupid in my mind," he said, almost grimacing at the memory. "My audition was gonna be basically [scoffs]…I was gonna be a superhero that I created. I don’t remember what it was called, but it was like a combination of The Hulk and—maybe it was just The Hulk. I was gonna come in as The Hulk and just jump around do this weird slow-motion performance-art dance where I would crush things with my foot and do a mimed 'the Earth is cracking.' I was not gonna get in, and I knew that, but I had practiced it in my mirror in my living room a few times. But I never pulled the trigger."
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Poehler speculated that her friend may have participated in a little self-sabotage, and Black agreed. "That’s the constant battle: the fear of failure," he said. "Sometimes you’re up for the battle, and sometimes you’re just like, 'Pass.'"
While it’s fun to think about Black on SNL, his career path was obviously just fine without it (in April 2025, Collider reported that his career global box-office total was nearly $10 billion. Not too shabby). Still, for a sample of what that union could have looked like, just consult Tenacious D’s appearance in a May 1998 episode (hosted by Matthew Broderick), in which the duo performed a showcase of "The History of Tenacious D" and "Double Team." (They had to do some notable self-censoring for the latter, a particularly risqué number that wasn’t well-suited for national TV.)
It’s also worth noting that Black did wind up on a classic sketch-comedy show—just not this one. Between 1995 and 1996, he appeared in four early episodes of the subversive and giddily surreal HBO series Mr. Show, created by and starring Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. In many ways, it was probably a better stylistic fit, as evidenced by the absurdist (and very NSFW) musical sketch where he plays both a farmer and Satan.
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.