The holiday season officially kicked off on “Saturday Night Live” with the much-anticipated bi-annual joke swap hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che. This comedic tradition, part of the “Weekend Update” Christmas episode, features the co-anchors crafting jokes for one another without prior knowledge of their content.
Over the years, a running theme has emerged where Che attempts to bamboozle Jost into making risqué jokes about his wife, Scarlett Johansson. This year, however, added an exciting element as Johansson herself was present in Studio 8H, watching the proceedings live.
Jost began the segment with a dedication to Johansson, introducing a joke about her recent milestone of turning 40, which prompted laughter and a bit of concern from the actress as the camera captured her backstage reaction. Che, not to be outdone, followed up with jokes touching on the couple’s parenting journey and playful teasing about their son, Cosmo, born in August 2021.
The jokes escalated in hilarity, with Che joking about the couple’s decision not to share images of their son, humorously attributing it to the child’s appearance. The comedic crescendo included a risqué Costco joke that left Johansson visibly shocked, reinforcing the playful and sometimes edgy nature of the segment.
Throughout the night, Jost flipped the script on Che, addressing various topics, including recent allegations against Jay-Z and Diddy. This joke swap ritual has become a staple of “SNL,” with past segments highlighting Johansson’s career controversies, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.
Reflecting on the tradition during a July 2024 appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Johansson humorously noted her anxiety about these segments, admitting to blacking out during the performances. She described the experience as increasingly brutal and painful, revealing the unpredictable nature of their comedic ventures and the close bond they share through laughter.
Ultimately, this year’s joke swap not only entertained “SNL” fans but also showcased the light-hearted interactions between Jost and Johansson, illustrating that humor can be a unique form of bonding, even when it walks the fine line of taste. It serves as a reminder that laughter, even at one’s own expense, can strengthen relationships and bring joy to the holiday season.