Saturday Night Live (SNL) stars Colin Jost and Michael Che continued their annual tradition of exchanging humorous, albeit off-color, jokes for the Weekend Update segment. However, this year's exchange took an unexpected turn when Che lied to Jost about not participating in the joke swap, leaving Jost to read out Che's prepared jokes without knowing their origin.
Jost was left to deliver a series of jokes, including one that targeted his wife, actress Scarlett Johansson, who was backstage watching the show. Che's joke, which included the phrase "B--- you having a hot flash," was met with laughter from the audience and likely left Jost visibly uncomfortable. The joke swap is a long-standing tradition between the two comedians, with Che making Jost read out jokes about his wife last year as well.
According to eyewitnesses, Johansson was in attendance at the show and appeared to be watching the exchange with interest. The joke was not part of the planned Weekend Update segment, but rather a surprise addition that caught Jost off guard. The incident has sparked a mix of reactions from fans and critics, with some praising the humor and others expressing discomfort with the off-color joke.
The joke swap is a lighthearted tradition between Jost and Che, but it also highlights the fine line between humor and offense. While the joke was intended to be humorous, it also targeted Jost's wife and may have left some viewers feeling uncomfortable. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of considering the audience and the potential impact of one's words.
In a statement to the press, a representative for SNL declined to comment on the incident, citing the show's policy of not discussing internal matters. Jost and Che have not publicly addressed the joke swap or its implications. The show will continue to air its Weekend Update segment, which often features humorous and irreverent commentary on current events.
The joke swap is just one aspect of the show's irreverent humor, which has become a hallmark of SNL's Weekend Update segment. While the joke may have been intended to be humorous, it also highlights the challenges of navigating humor and offense in a live broadcast. As the show continues to push the boundaries of comedy, it will be interesting to see how Jost and Che's joke swap tradition evolves in the future.
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