Jack Black Does It for the Kids

Self-proclaimed "big kid" Jack Black returns to risk the slime on the Kids' Choice Awards (March 29 at 8 pm/ET), the annual Nickelodeon event honoring the year's biggest movies, musicians, sports figures, television shows, videos and books, as voted by the kids. He previously hosted the show in 2006, and apparently hasn't learned his lesson.

TVGuide.com: Why do you think Nick asked you back?
Jack Black: When they ask you back, that means you hit it out of the park the first time. They want some more of that Jack Black flavor. I figured they tried with other people, and they said, "No, no, no. Jack Black's where the flavor is. Enough with the Timberlake ridiculousness. [Laughs] Jack's the real rock 'n' roll. It's the 'Black Attack.'"

TVGuide.com: You got slimed pretty hard last time. Any plans to protect yourself this time?
Black: Are you asking me to reveal my Tenacious Slime Defensive Plan? I've actually built a new apparatus called the Slimo Detector, and it starts beeping and vibrating when slime is within 100 yards. It's kind of like "Spidey Sense" but it's "Slimey Sense."

TVGuide.com: What do you think it is about you that connects with kids so much?
Black: I'm a big kid, and I like to play. When I was a kid, I was the one that used to make other kids laugh. I guess I held onto that as I grew up. I still have that need to make kids laugh.

TVGuide.com: Kids are a tough audience. Isn't it nerve-racking to have to entertain them?
Black: I love kids, but I always worry what I'm not entertaining them enough. What if they don't think I'm funny? That's why I love hanging out with my son. It's a lot more relaxed, and I can just be myself. And he's so funny. He's almost 2, so he doesn't have many tricks. Even when it's not windy, he just likes to say, "It's windy!" That's his favorite phrase right now.

TVGuide.com: Will you change your approach to hosting the show now that you're a dad yourself?
Black: I might be a little more tired. But sometimes I'm funnier when I haven't had enough sleep. 

TVGuide.com: Oh no, he's not sleeping through the night?
Black: He sleeps through the night, but he wakes up at like 5 am, which I consider to still be the night. That will get to you. I may be a little loopy.

TVGuide.com: Are you going to be bringing any special friends with you for the show?
Black: I haven't decided who I'm going to rock with yet, but there will be some special guests. My plan is to rock and be funny. Can I do it? Yes. Will I do it? Yes. Should I do it? Yes. I am really keeping it vague, aren't I? I'm sorry — like I said, it's been a long day.

Watch clips of past Kids' Choice Awards in our Online Video Guide.
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