Full Breakdown
Colin Jost and Michael Che's Controversial Joke Swap on SNL
12/21/2025, 7:42:35 AM
The Joke Swap Tradition
On December 20, 2025, "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) aired its final episode of the year, featuring the much-anticipated "Weekend Update" segment where co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che engaged in their annual joke swap. This tradition, which has become a hallmark of SNL's Christmas episodes, typically involves each host writing offensive jokes for the other to read. However, this year, a twist was introduced: Che prepared jokes exclusively for Jost, who was unaware of this change until the segment began.
The Jokes and Their Reception
As Jost began reading the jokes, he expressed surprise at Che's deception, stating, "That's interesting, because you specifically said that we were not doing it this year." The jokes included a series of controversial topics, including slavery and church sexual abuse, eliciting gasps and laughter from the audience. One particularly notable joke referenced Jost's wife, Scarlett Johansson, stating, "New research shows that millions of women leave the workforce due to menopause, which means there’s only a couple years left on my gravy train." This was accompanied by a photo of Johansson, prompting Jost to add, "My girl already be like, ‘Colin, I’m warm. Colin, I’m sweating.’ Bitch, you having a hot flash." He concluded with a joke about Jenna Ortega's character from "Wednesday," saying, "But don’t worry about me, I got a backup. They don’t call Wednesday hump day for nothing."
Historical Context of the Joke Swap
The joke swap segment has a history of pushing boundaries, with previous iterations often leading to shocking moments. Last year's Christmas episode featured Jost reading a vulgar joke about Johansson while she was present in the studio, capturing her shocked reaction. This ongoing dynamic between Jost and Che has become a defining feature of their partnership on SNL, with each episode building on the last in terms of audacity and humor.
Criticism and Audience Reaction
While many viewers enjoy the edgy humor, the jokes have drawn criticism for their insensitivity. Critics argue that the topics chosen, particularly those involving serious issues like sexual abuse and race, can be seen as distasteful. The juxtaposition of humor with sensitive subjects raises questions about the boundaries of comedy and the responsibilities of public figures in their portrayal of such topics.
Official Statements & Responses
In the aftermath of the segment, both Jost and Che have not publicly commented on the specific reactions to this year's jokes. However, the tradition itself has been defended by fans who appreciate the comedic risk-taking involved. Che, in a previous episode, humorously acknowledged the backlash by reading an apology directed at Johansson, stating, "The fact is, I was just lashing out because I'm jealous."
Verbatim Quotes
- “See that’s interesting, because you specifically said that we were not doing it this year.” — Colin Jost
- “New research shows that millions of women leave the workforce due to menopause, which means there's only a couple years left on my gravy train,” — Colin Jost
- “My girl already be like, ‘Colin, I’m warm. Colin, I’m sweating.’ Bitch, you having a hot flash.” — Colin Jost
- “Oh, did I?” — Michael Che
The 2025 Christmas episode of SNL exemplifies the ongoing evolution of comedy on television, balancing humor with the potential for controversy, and leaving audiences to navigate their own responses to the material presented.
