Colin Jost once again found himself on the receiving end of a brutal setup by Michael Che during Saturday Night Live, reviving memories of last year’s controversial joke swap involving Scarlett Johansson.
The moment unfolded during SNL’s annual Christmas episode on December 20, as part of the long-running “Weekend Update” joke swap segment. In the bit, Jost and Che exchange jokes they have not seen beforehand, forcing each other to read potentially uncomfortable punchlines live on air.
Che introduced the segment by explaining the tradition to viewers. Jost quickly objected, saying he did not believe they were doing the swap this year. He also reminded Che that he had not written any jokes for him. Che brushed off the protest and told Jost he would have to read what was given.
Joke Swap Sparks Another Viral Moment
As Jost read through several jokes, one line shifted the focus directly to his wife. He delivered a Che-written punchline about menopause, joking that it meant his “gravy train” had only a few years left. As he spoke, a photo of Johansson appeared on screen, prompting laughter and visible discomfort.
Jost continued with another line about hot flashes before adding a follow-up joke that escalated the moment further. The exchange drew immediate reactions online and echoed last year’s viral joke swap, when a similar Che-written gag left Johansson visibly stunned backstage.
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Earlier this year, Johansson addressed that previous moment in an interview. She said the joke shocked her and admitted she could not believe the writers had taken it that far. Despite the backlash, the recurring gag has become one of the most talked-about elements of SNL’s holiday episodes.
The latest exchange reinforces the enduring chemistry between Jost and Che, whose joke-swapping continues to blur the line between comedy and discomfort, delivering some of the show’s most viral moments.
