The holiday season at “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) is marked by the much-anticipated joke swap between co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che. This humorous tradition occurs during the “Weekend Update” Christmas show and the season’s final episode, where the two comedians create jokes for each other without sharing them beforehand.
In this year’s installment, there was a surprise twist—Scarlett Johansson, Jost’s wife, was present in the audience to witness the exchange live. Jost dedicated a joke to her, humorously referencing her recent 40th birthday while glancing back to see Johansson’s apprehensive reaction from backstage.
Che added to the amusement with his jokes about Jost and Johansson’s life as new parents after welcoming their son, Cosmo, in August 2021. When making light of Jost’s reluctance to show their son’s pictures, Che quipped about the child’s appearance, leading to a playful mock-up shown on screen. One particularly bold joke involved a risqué innuendo about a popular grocery chain’s menu changes, which elicited an undeniably shocked response from Johansson.
Throughout the segment, Jost retaliated with his own jokes, addressing current events and celebrity news. This longstanding tradition has seen Che poking fun at Johansson since Jost and she tied the knot in October 2020, including past jokes that confronted various controversies.
Johansson herself has expressed her feelings about being the subject of these joke swaps. During an appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” she humorously remarked that she felt both terrified and “brutalized” by the experience, noting the increasing intensity of the punchlines each year and her inability to recall the whole segment afterward.
This entertaining segment showcases not just the comedic talents of Jost and Che but also offers a playful glimpse into their personal lives, solidifying the fun and light-heartedness that often characterize the holiday spirit.
In summary, the SNL joke swap continues to be a beloved tradition, blending hilarity with an element of surprise, as evidenced by Johansson’s reactions. It reflects the evolving dynamic of their relationship while bringing joy to audiences during the festive season.