Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost's Hilarious SNL Moment

It’s not the holiday season at “Saturday Night Live” until Colin Jost and Michael Che host their bi-annual joke swap. This tradition, featured during their “Weekend Update” Christmas show and the last show of the season, involves the co-anchors writing jokes for each other that neither comedian has seen before. Over the years, it’s become a tradition for Che to trick Jost into making jokes about his wife, Scarlett Johansson. However, this year’s segment had a special twist: Johansson was present at Studio 8H to witness the jokes live.

The Joke Swap: A Tradition of Humiliation

The joke swap is a staple of the SNL's year-end shows, a tradition that often involves a significant amount of roasting. In this instance, it began with Jost delivering a joke dedicated to his wife. “I want to dedicate this next joke to my boo, Scarlett Johansson,” Jost began, before the camera shifted from the “Weekend Update” desk to Johansson watching backstage with a worried expression. The joke itself centered on Johansson's recent 40th birthday, with Jost quipping, “Hey boo. Y’all know Scarlett just celebrated her 40th birthday, which means I’m about to get up out of there.” The camera cut back to Johansson, capturing a reaction that blended confusion and laughter.

Jost's Jokes About Their Son

Che wasn’t done with the jokes. His next offering involved Jost explaining his lack of son Cosmo's photos by stating, “he black as hell,” before a photoshopped image of Jost, Johansson and a Black child appeared on screen. This joke, and the subsequent reactions, quickly circulated across social media. The live audience's response was a mix of cheers and groans. It's worth noting that Cosmo was born in August 2021.

Johansson's Reactions: From Laughter to Shock

The jokes didn't stop there. Che's final joke for Jost was a vulgar innuendo about Costco removing the roast beef sandwich from its menu. Johansson's reaction was immediate and audible: a shocked “Oh my god.” This showcased the increasingly edgy nature of the joke swap. The visible audience, and Johansson herself, clearly had a wide range of responses to the jokes, from laughter to shocked silence.

Jost's Retaliation

The joke swap wasn’t one-sided. Jost retaliated with jokes aimed at Che, including commentary on allegations against Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs. This showcased the reciprocal nature of the roast, where neither comedian was spared.

A History of Humorous Humiliation

This wasn’t the first time Johansson has been the target of Jost’s jokes during the “Weekend Update” joke swap. In a December 2020 episode, Jost made a joke about Johansson's past controversies and this year’s segment wasn't the first time Johansson was the subject of Jost's jokes. In May 2024, Jost read a joke referencing Johansson’s role in the movie “Her” and ChatGPT's new voice assistant feature. However, he claimed that he had never seen the film “because without that body, what’s the point of listening?”

Johansson's Feelings About the Tradition

Johansson herself has addressed this annual tradition. During a July 2024 appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” she joked about needing “witness protection” after each joke swap. She expressed her fear of being targeted and admitted to blacking out during the segment, saying, “I actually don’t remember it.” She later described the segment as “brutal” and said, “I feel like every year it gets worse. It’s just terrible. It’s painful…I actually don’t remember that segment.” These comments add another layer to the already humorous and awkward exchange.

The Aftermath: Viral Moments and Ongoing Tradition

The 2024 joke swap has gone viral, with clips of Johansson's reactions circulating widely on social media. The event highlighted the evolving dynamic between Jost and Che, as well as Johansson's enduring connection to the show. The tradition continues, and anticipation is already building for next year's installment. This annual event certainly provides some memorable moments for both the performers and the viewers. The combination of unexpected humor, live reactions, and the celebrity involvement makes it a staple of the SNL holiday season. The public reaction to the 2024 installment showcases the enduring appeal of unexpected, slightly uncomfortable comedy.