In the realm of late-night television, few segments have garnered as much attention as the “Weekend Update” of Saturday Night Live (SNL). One of the unique features of this segment is the tradition of joke swaps between co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che. This playful back-and-forth has become a staple of the show, allowing both comedians to demonstrate their improvisational skills while pushing the boundaries of comedic timing. However, the latest installment in this practice has left an unexpected mark, highlighting the fine line comedians tread when intertwining humor with personal sensitivity.
The Christmas episode of SNL aired on December 21, featuring a particularly provocative joke penned by Che. The comedic quip intended to poke fun at actress Scarlett Johansson, who was present in the studio. Jost delivered the punchline, which linked Johansson to Costco’s roast beef sandwiches—a metaphor rife with crude implications. While Jost and Johansson had prior discussion about the joke, a wave of unexpected shock washed over her when it landed in front of a live audience. Jost’s admission that Johansson was “genuinely so shocked” speaks volumes about the blurred lines between consent and execution in comedy.
It is crucial to differentiate between a comedian’s intent to include someone in their material and the actual impact of the delivery. While Jost revealed that SNL briefed Johansson about the joke and she appeared to consent to its execution, her visibly astonished reaction raises questions about the effectiveness of communication in comedy settings. Rather than merely being an amusing anecdote, this moment serves as a reminder that perceived comedy often holds potential consequences for everyone involved, including the comedians themselves.
Jost himself acknowledged the gravity of the situation during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. When asked if he was “in trouble with Scarlett,” he candidly reflected on the precarious nature of their comedic environments, stating, “I’m in trouble, I think, with a lot of people.” This sentiment underscores a growing conversation in comedy about the responsibility comedians have regarding the jokes they choose, particularly when they involve public figures.
SNL has a long history of subversive humor and biting satire, which attracts a diverse audience with varying sensitivities to such comedic styles. In this case, Jost’s roast of Johansson seemed to oscillate between playful irreverence and potential insensitivity. The shock value of a joke often hinges on the audience’s expectations—if the punchline fails to align with those anticipations, the results can lead to polarized responses. The backlash over this specific joke invites an important dialogue about how comedians can weave humor without crossing into uncomfortable territory.
As the dust settles after this comedic debacle, it serves as an opportunity for introspection, not only for Jost and Che but for the comedy industry as a whole. Moving forward, there is a palpable need for comedians to engage in deep self-reflection on the topics they choose to address. In a landscape where sensitivity and humor often tread dangerously close together, the legacy of the “vagina joke” may echo longer than anticipated, reminding future entertainers to be vigilant in their craft.