Colin Jost’s SNL Joke Swap Leaves Scarlett Johansson Uncomfortable Backstage
Scarlett Johansson watches as her husband, Colin Jost, delivers ruthless jokes about her during SNL’s annual “Weekend Update” joke swap.
Colin Jost, a mainstay on Saturday Night Live‘s “Weekend Update,” has become known for his annual joke swap segment with co-anchor Michael Che. The segment features each comedian delivering jokes prepared by the other, often designed to embarrass or shock. This year, however, the stakes were higher as Jost’s wife, actress Scarlett Johansson, watched the segment unfold backstage.
Scarlett Johansson was present on the December episode of SNL to induct host Martin Short into the prestigious Five-Timers Club—a group of celebrities who have hosted the show five or more times. Johansson herself joined this elite club in 2017. However, her backstage appearance became a memorable moment as the camera frequently cut to her reactions while Jost delivered jokes at her expense.
Colin Jost Delivers Ruthless Jokes About Scarlett Johansson
As the joke swap began, Jost prefaced the segment by addressing the uncomfortable territory ahead. “Time out. Before we do this, I know Michael is gonna make me tell some racist jokes like he always does,” Jost quipped nervously. To add to the humor—and discomfort—he jokingly offered to read the jokes in a “Black voice” to avoid backlash.
One particularly shocking joke involved Vice President Kamala Harris and slavery reparations, which Jost delivered with visible unease. Following that, the jokes turned personal, with Che’s writing targeting Jost’s wife, Scarlett Johansson.
“I want to dedicate this next joke to my boo, Scarlett Johansson,” Jost said, as the camera panned backstage to show Johansson clutching a drink and visibly bracing herself. The joke referenced Johansson’s recent 40th birthday: “Y’all know Scarlett just celebrated her 40th birthday. Which means I’m about to get up out of there,” Jost said, laughing nervously. Johansson’s visible reaction, captured on camera, added a layer of hilarity and relatability to the moment.
Jost continued with a joke about their son, Cosmo, saying, “We just had a kid together, and y’all ain’t see no pictures of him yet cuz he Black as hell.” The quip elicited laughter and shock from the audience, as Johansson took another swig of her drink backstage.
Scarlett Johansson’s Honest Reaction
This isn’t the first time Colin Jost has been forced to joke about his wife on SNL. In a similar segment last year, Jost joked about Johansson’s acting career after reading a joke about New York movie theaters serving alcohol: “Which is how I’m finally able to enjoy my wife’s little art movies,” he said, referencing her role in Marvel’s Black Widow. The punchline was another dig, as Jost added, “You’re an even better ‘Black Widow’ than Coretta Scott King,” while cringing.
Johansson has previously admitted that watching these segments is difficult. During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, she said, “It’s so bad. I black out for that period of the night. It’s just terrible.” Despite the discomfort, the couple, who reconnected during a 2017 episode of SNL and married in 2020, seem to take it all in stride.
The Tradition of “SNL” Joke Swaps
The joke swap segment has become a fan-favorite tradition on SNL, known for its outrageous and often uncomfortable humor. Jost and Che’s dynamic—where they write intentionally shocking jokes for each other—has solidified their reputation as one of the most daring comedy duos in recent years.
Johansson’s presence this year added an extra layer of tension and hilarity, as her reactions reminded the audience of the human side of these comedic jabs. Fans of SNL eagerly await each year’s installment, knowing that no topic—or person—is off-limits.