Scarlett Johansson’s Dreadful Experience with SNL’s Joke Swap
Scarlett Johansson has openly shared her apprehension about her husband Colin Jost and his co-host Michael Che’s popular segment, the Joke Swap, during NBC’s Saturday Night Live. The segment traditionally involves the two comedians reading jokes written by each other without any prior knowledge of the content, leading to unpredictable humor.
During a recent episode, Jost found himself delivering several jokes aimed at Johansson, much to her visible dismay as she watched from backstage. As a member of the SNL Five-Timers Club, which celebrates frequent guest hosts, Johansson’s surprise appearance during the Cold Open added to the evening’s tension.
As Jost prepared to deliver the jokes, he dedicated a line to Johansson, aligning with her recent milestone celebration of turning 40. He quipped, “which means I’m about to get up outta there!” This was met with a mixture of cheers and groans from the audience, highlighting the delicate balance between humor and personal life being showcased.
Adding to the discomfort, Jost made a comment regarding their son, saying, “We just had a kid together, and y’all ain’t seen no pictures of him yet — because he Black as hell!” As Johansson watched backstage, her reaction was one of disbelief, shaking her head as if caught between amusement and shock.
The segment took a turn for the more controversial when Jost referred to a recent menu change at Costco regarding their roast beef sandwiches, humorously commenting on his eating habits post-paternity. This led to another joke where he added, “Nah, nah, I’m just playin’ baby, you know I don’t go downtown… That’s gay as hell!” This line further exemplified the boundary-pushing nature of their segment and elicited a gasp from the audience.
Meanwhile, Che injected his own brand of humor as he jokingly connected the success of a film to previous scandals involving celebrities, which only added to the overall edgy tone of the night. The playful back-and-forth left the audience entertained yet questioning the appropriateness of some of the humor shared on live television.
During a prior interview, Johansson remarked about the Joke Swap, stating, “We need to go into like, witness protection after that night. It’s so bad. I black out for that period of the night. I don’t — I actually don’t remember it.” This gives insight into the challenging nature of their humor, especially when family is involved.
The segment encapsulates both the charm and complexity of life in the public eye, particularly for couples like Jost and Johansson who navigate their professional and personal lives amidst the unpredictability of live comedy.
