Jack Black, the actor and musician known for roles in "School of Rock" and "Kung Fu Panda," recently shared a surprising detail about a potential career path he bypassed years ago: a Saturday Night Live audition. Black discussed the never-attempted tryout during an appearance on Amy Poehler's podcast.
Speaking with host Amy Poehler on her show, Black detailed a concept he devised for an SNL audition. He confessed he ultimately chose not to pursue it, noting he felt the idea sounded "stupid" in retrospect.
The audition plan involved portraying a superhero Black created. He elaborated on the character, stating it was meant to be a blend of existing heroes, though he quickly realized it resembled just one iconic figure: the Hulk.
His proposed performance involved appearing as the Hulk and executing a unique "art dance." The routine included actions like jumping, slow-motion movements, miming crushing objects with his foot, and pretending the earth was cracking.
Despite practicing the routine in his living room mirror, Black admitted he lacked confidence in the concept's success. "I was not gonna get in, and I knew that," he stated, explaining his decision not to move forward with the tryout. He reflected on the moment as an instance where the "fear of failure" prevented him from taking a chance.
Black also spoke about his recent return to host SNL, his first time since 2005. He described the experience as "very emotional," having held fond memories of his previous appearance decades prior. He mentioned not expecting to be asked back, despite his continued successful career, speculating on the show's casting process under Lorne Michaels.
He suggested the show often seeks hosts who are "on the cusp that are exploding, popping off in a certain way." Poehler countered, suggesting Black could have been a cast member himself.
Black dismissed this idea, responding, "I don't think I could handle it week-in and week-out. Once every 20 years is more my speed for that gig."
Reflecting further on the audition process in general, Black highlighted a positive experience as a 13-year-old that landed him an Atari commercial. He recalled the satisfaction of leaving the audition room to laughter.
That positive feeling fueled a long-term pursuit. "I've been chasing the dragon ever since," he said, adding that sometimes he prefers the thrill of a successful audition to the actual job itself.
Black explained the difference, noting that sometimes after landing a role, the requirements on set differ significantly from the audition performance. He concluded, "The audition, it's just for that room."
