“SNL” hosts Jack Black and Anya Taylor-Joy reveal what really happens behind the scenes

Raechal ShewfeltSat, April 4, 2026 at 1:29 AM UTC

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Jack Black and Anya Taylor-JoyCredit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic;Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

In case there was any doubt, Jack Black and Anya Taylor-Joy just confirmed that, yep, hosting Saturday Night Live is terrifying.

The stars of the new, animated Super Mario Galaxy Movie should know, of course, since they've each hosted the long-running NBC series.

"It is the best and scariest at the time same time," Black, who's hosted the series four times already and is set for another go around on this week's episode, tells Entertainment Weekly. "Would you agree?"

Taylor-Joy, who hosted May 22, 2021, says she had been both "terrified" and "thrilled."

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"I cannot wait to do it again, because I'm hoping that Round 2 is not as scary," she adds,

Black assures her that "it won't be."

Taylor-Joy, who spent her childhood in London and Buenos Aires, notes that "growing up without SNL, it being something that you could watch and only seeing it on YouTube videos, you really got the feeling that this is how you present yourself to America."

For Black who's hosted four times beginning in 2002, it's "all about those 10 seconds before you walk out onto the stage to introduce yourself and introduce the show,” he says. "It's crazy. That stress level goes through the roof."

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Taylor-Joy agrees the entire thing is "insane," adding that "those 10 seconds suck."

She also fondly recalls "all the messages that are written inside of the door."

What people don't know about backstage at SNL is Donna, they share.

"Donna is the person who is putting you where you are meant to be," the Queen's Gambit star says. "She is a magician. I don't know how she does it."

Jack Black on 'SNL' in 2003Credit: NBCUniversal via Getty

Black notes that Donna Richards, who's been with SNL since the '90s, working with actors to transition lightning fast from one sketch to another, has given him a pillow, so he could sleep between dress rehearsal and the live broadcast.

"Cause the whole week is a crazy schedule," the Tropic Thunder star says. "You don't have much time to sleep. God bless it, what an amazing experience."

And Black has had the chance to do it all again this week.

He hosts Saturday Night Live, with musical guest Jack White, at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT April 4 on NBC.

on Entertainment Weekly

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”