Colin Jost Faces Awkward ‘SNL’ Joke Swap With Scarlett Johansson Backstage

On “Saturday Night Live,” Colin Jost endured yet another brutal joke swap during the “Weekend Update” segment, where he and co-anchor Michael Che exchanged jokes they had written for each other without prior review.

The segment, a fan-favorite tradition, brought Scarlett Johansson, Jost’s wife, into the spotlight as she watched the jokes unfold backstage.

This year’s twist was Johansson’s backstage presence, which heightened the humor and discomfort for Jost.

The actress, a member of SNL’s prestigious Five-Timers Club since 2017, made an appearance earlier in the episode to welcome host Martin Short into the club.

During the joke swap, the camera frequently cut to Johansson, capturing her reactions as Jost delivered Che’s merciless quips.

Che Pushes Boundaries with Racist and Personal Jokes

Jost began the segment with apprehension, knowing what lay ahead. “Time out. Before we do this, I know Michael is gonna make me tell some racist jokes like he always does,” he said.

“So this time, if you don’t mind, I’d like to read all the jokes in ‘Black voice,’ so I don’t get in trouble.” The first joke targeted Vice President Kamala Harris and slavery reparations, leaving Jost visibly horrified.

Jost then transitioned to a joke about Johansson, continuing in “Black voice.” “I want to dedicate this next joke to my boo, Scarlett Johansson,” he said.

The camera cut to Johansson, who clutched her drink and braced herself. “Y’all know Scarlett just celebrated her 40th birthday. Which means I’m about to get up out of there.”

The audience erupted in laughter, but Johansson’s reaction added to the comedic tension. “Why?” she exclaimed as the camera returned to her.

Jost quickly added, “Nah, nah. I’m just playin’. We just had a kid together, and y’all ain’t see no pictures of him yet ’cause he Black as hell.”

Roast Beef and Relationship Jokes Add to the Tension

The jokes didn’t stop there. Another quip referenced Costco removing roast beef sandwiches from its menu.

“But I ain’t tripping. I be eating roast beef every night since my wife had the kid,” Jost said, lowering his face in apparent horror as the crowd gasped. Johansson’s shocked reaction backstage, mouthing, “Oh my God,” further fueled the laughter.

Last year, Jost joked about Johansson’s acting career, saying, “New York State now allows movie theaters to sell alcohol, which is how I’m finally able to enjoy my wife’s little art movies.”

A picture of Johansson in “Black Widow” appeared on-screen, and Jost quickly added, “I’m kidding, honey. I love all of your movies. And if you ask me, you’re an even better ‘Black Widow’ than Coretta Scott King.”

The Couple’s Long-Standing Relationship with SNL

Jost and Johansson’s connection to SNL dates back to 2006, when Jost was a writer, and Johansson hosted an episode.

They began dating in 2017 and married in 2020. The couple shares a son, Cosmo, born in 2021. Johansson also has a daughter, Rose Dorothy, from a previous marriage.

Johansson has admitted that watching the joke swap is a challenging experience.

Earlier this year, she told “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” “It’s so bad. I black out for that period of the night. I actually don’t remember it. It is brutal. I feel like every year it gets worse. It’s just terrible.”

Despite the discomfort, the joke swap remains a beloved SNL tradition. This year’s segment, with Johansson’s live reactions and Che’s boundary-pushing humor, will likely be remembered as one of the most memorable.