The holiday spirit is alive and well at “Saturday Night Live,” particularly during the highly anticipated bi-annual joke swap between Colin Jost and Michael Che. This special event takes place during the “Weekend Update” segment of the Christmas show and marks the final episode of the season, where the two co-anchors exchange jokes written for one another, ensuring that each comedian remains in the dark about the content.
Traditionally, Che has delighted in catching Jost off guard with cheeky and sometimes risqué jokes that leverage Jost’s marriage to actress Scarlett Johansson. This year proved particularly eventful, as Johansson made a surprise appearance at Studio 8H, watching the banter unfold live.
Jost kicked off the segment by humorously dedicating a joke to Johansson, who could be seen backstage looking both amused and apprehensive. He light-heartedly acknowledged her recent milestone, her 40th birthday, comically suggesting that it might be time for him to make an exit.
Che followed up with his own jabs, including an explanation for not sharing any photos of their son, Cosmo, by jokingly stating, “he black as hell,” which drew laughter from the audience and a photomontage that added a humorous layer to the punchline. Che’s final joke took a racy turn involving Costco’s menu changes, prompting an audible gasp from Johansson — a testament to the boldness of the evening’s humor.
Throughout this playful exchange, Jost also had his opportunities to return the comedic fire, referencing recent allegations surrounding high-profile figures like Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
This tradition of comedy has roots extending back years, commonly drawing on Johansson’s career for punchlines, and it never fails to elicit reactions that range from confusion to laughter. Johansson, reflecting on the ongoing nature of the joke swap, remarked in a past appearance that she often feels the intensity of the segment makes her want to disappear, humorously suggesting they might need to go into witness protection due to the daring nature of the jokes.
Overall, the Jost-Che joke swap continues to be a beloved highlight of the SNL holiday season, showcasing not just bravery in humor but also a playful bond among friends that thrives on shared laughter and surprise. As audiences tune in each year, there remains a hopeful anticipation for the wild and entertaining moments that will define the festive spirit of the iconic show.