Ep 1. Jack Black/John Mayer

The first episode of Saturday Night Live's 29th season featured host Jack Black and musical guest John Mayer. Known for his comedic chops in films like School of Rock and Tenacious D, Black brought his unique brand of humor to the stage in sketches spoofing everything from morning news shows to an imagined prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Alongside him were SNL regulars like Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, and Chris Kattan, as well as guest appearances from actors like Neil Patrick Harris and Kyle Gass.

The night kicked off with a cold open that riffed on the recent gubernatorial recall election in California. In it, Seth Meyers played NBC news anchor Brian Williams, who moderated a debate between candidates played by Black (Arnold Schwarzenegger), Darrell Hammond (Gary Coleman), and Forte (Arnold's last-minute write-in opponent, a bear). The sketch was classic SNL political satire, poking fun at stereotypes and hyperbole for laughs.

Next up was Black's opening monologue, which quickly turned into a musical number. Wearing a guitar and backed by the SNL house band, Black sang a song about how he had always dreamed of hosting SNL, complete with a chorus that included lyrics like "I'm a musical comedian / I'm like Don Henley mixed with Gallagher."

The first sketch of the night was a parody of morning news shows, featuring Rudolph and Kattan as chirpy hosts who kept breaking into song. Black played a zookeeper who was introducing a new animal to the world, but the hosts kept getting sidetracked by their musical interludes. The sketch was clever and well-executed, with Black playing a delightful straight man to Rudolph and Kattan's absurdity.

Other sketches included an absurdist take on American Idol, in which Black played a tone-deaf contestant who somehow still managed to win; a "Weekend Update" segment in which Forte and Amy Poehler played a bickering married couple who kept interrupting each other; and an imagined prequel to The Wizard of Oz, in which Black played a young Scarecrow who discovers his love for breakdancing. The prequel sketch was a standout, with Black's physical comedy skills on full display.

As for Mayer, he performed two songs during the episode. The first was "Bigger Than My Body," an upbeat rock tune from his album Heavier Things. Mayer's charisma and talent were on full display during this performance, and it was clear why he was such a big draw as a musical guest. His second song was "Clarity," a slower, more introspective track that allowed Mayer to showcase his guitar skills.

Overall, the Jack Black/John Mayer episode of SNL was a strong start to the show's 29th season. Black's comedic energy was infectious, and his willingness to dive headfirst into absurdity made for some memorable sketches. Mayer was also a fantastic musical guest, adding some extra energy to an already lively show. Fans of SNL and comedy in general will definitely want to check out this episode.