SNL Weekend Update Joke Swap: Colin Jost's Racist Jokes, Scarlett Johansson Reactions

Colin Jost's "Weekend Update" Joke Swap with Michael Che Features Jabs at Scarlett Johansson on Saturday Night Live

Fox News contributor Joe Concha discussed his perspective regarding Saturday Night Live sketches mocking the recent death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson along with President-elect Donald Trump’s exchange with Jill Biden in Paris which also occurred this past weekend. Colin Jost one of the Saturday Night Live star, recently participated in the annual "Weekend Update" joke swap. Jost endured merciless jokes aimed at his wife Scarlett Johansson while working alongside Michael Che during a live news segment.

Scarlett Johansson Reacts Backstage to Colin Jost's Jokes during Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update"

Colin Jost probably expected some level of discomfort regarding the traditional " Weekend Update " joke exchange especially regarding Michael Che’s humor who is his "Weekend Update" co-anchor for show but Scarlett Johansson’s presence backstage was unplanned for the 2024 event. Jost and Michael Che always read each other’s pre written jokes on live TV usually with surprising impact that they have each previously experienced but having Johansson in view was unusual. The camera panned between the couple Scarlett Johansson in backstage and Colin Jost on stage providing extra visibility for audience reaction. The segment involved Scarlett Johansson from Marvel films who welcomed Martin Short to the exclusive Five-Timers club who was herself also added back in 2017.

Racist Jokes Preceded by Jokes Targeted at Scarlett Johansson with Michael Che's Comedic Writing

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Before going into jokes about his wife Colin Jost also read jokes by Michael Che which was another ongoing pattern featuring racially driven commentary. Jost jokingly started by noting he knew Michael Che would present racist jokes as per previous years events but this time he said he would use ‘Black voice’ to speak it making jokes more direct. The comment was a clear indication of what was coming and an attempt to deflect from accountability over controversial joke material before telling specific offensive jokes that Michael Che created.

Colin Jost Delivered Shocking Racist Jokes and Jokes on Scarlett Johansson during Weekend Update Segment

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Colin Jost said his apologies before telling jokes that involved Vice President Kamala Harris and slavery reparations showing that this material will be offensive which may get him in trouble during this television segment. The "Black voice" added a layer of performance highlighting how absurd some racist ideologies can be presented by the show while highlighting the humor of using the voice as means of showing social commentary and satire for wider viewing audiences. He quickly pivoted to include his wife Scarlett Johansson within the dialogue with multiple jokes and reactions from her face backstage. Scarlett Johansson grimaced visibly at camera reaction while also having drinks near set. Colin Jost read the joke that targeted Scarlett’s upcoming 40th birthday that he mentioned caused him to joke “I’m about to get up out of there” and referencing her Black child to bring awareness and tension as he delivered the jokes live.

Backlash and Audience Reactions Highlight Sensitivity Over the Nature of Jokes Told on Saturday Night Live

Scarlett Johansson showed her open reactions to all jokes being told including the last joke that spoke on leaving since the 40th birthday where she jokingly answered "Why?". Colin Jost reacted with laughter in his continued ‘Black voice’ making comments about race and his son as he closed this section for live viewers to make their own judgment of the material presented to them during this Saturday Night Live broadcast. These specific comments resulted in multiple news outlets covering this controversial and somewhat brutal routine on live television. The show has shown repeated events using racist humor over prior years events creating multiple headlines.

Jost's Jokes on Wife's Career and Other Similar Humorous Attacks Made on Previous Saturday Night Live Episodes

In last year’s skit Jost told a joke that noted Scarlett’s work saying New York movie theaters can sell alcohol creating a path for audiences to make sense of "my wife's little art movies” that is directly referencing a still frame shot of her Marvel character in the "Black Widow" feature film with the comment adding even more insult saying she was better as ‘Black Widow’ then Coretta Scott King which many viewers deemed in poor taste. Five months prior Johansson admitted on The Kelly Clarkson Show she could not remember these specific live moments due to anxiety as they were quite intense and personally targeted for entertainment.

Johansson Labels The Experience as “Brutal” after years of Jabs From Husband Colin Jost On Live TV

Scarlett Johansson also said that she did think it “brutal” with events and commentary continually worsening from prior seasons which show consistent intentional commentary by Jost about the relationship and also the performances of her on-screen material on live television. Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson married in 2020 after a 2017 episode showing the live TV show brought the couple closer after having connected there. These comments by her add weight and context showing live discomfort in front of national audience creating specific entertainment for public consumption through comedy by those within marriage with public profiles such as theirs.

The public response from a Fox News reporter showed concerns over satirical content and it’s lack of social sensitivity especially concerning the mocking of death that creates added controversy. Caroline Thayer is a entertainment reporter whose coverage is provided by Fox News for their online resources. These resources offer the latest news on entertainment that was previously highlighted during showtime .