The holiday season is officially marked by Colin Jost and Michael Che’s bi-annual joke swap on “Saturday Night Live,” a beloved tradition during their “Weekend Update” Christmas and season finale shows. This unique segment showcases the co-anchors writing jokes for each other, keeping the content a surprise until it’s revealed live on air.
One of the highlights of this year’s joke swap was the presence of Scarlett Johansson, Jost’s wife, who watched the hilarious exchanges unfold from backstage. In a playful move, Jost kicked off his segment by dedicating a joke to Johansson, acknowledging her recent 40th birthday. This prompted laughter and concerned reactions from Johansson as Jost humorously suggested he might be looking for a way out of their marriage.
Che followed up with his own jokes, including one that humorously explained why no photos of their son, Cosmo, born in August 2021, were shared: “He black as hell,” accompanied by a comical photoshopped image. Another joke played on Costco’s menu changes, which shocked Johansson to the point of exclaiming, “Oh my god,” displaying her mixed feelings about the innuendo.
Throughout the segment, Jost managed to turn the tables and fire back at Che, including comments about controversial allegations against popular figures like Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs. The history of Che’s jokes about Johansson goes back several years, including barbs thrown shortly after their wedding, leading Johansson to humorously express her concerns on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” where she likened the experience to needing “witness protection.”
The continuous evolution of this comedic tradition showcases the playful dynamics between the trio, highlighting not only their mutual humor but also the deeper bond in their personal lives. As the segment continues to grow in both complexity and shock value, it seems to solidify its place as a festive highlight, with hope for more laughter in the future.
This example of humor bridging personal and public lives speaks to the resilience and joy that can often be found through laughter, reinforcing the holiday spirit in unexpected ways.