The Five Most Shocking Moments Of The Michael Che And Scarlett Johansson 'SNL Joke Swap' Feud

The ongoing, hilarious, and sometimes genuinely shocking tradition of the 'Weekend Update: Joke Swap' on *Saturday Night Live* reached an unprecedented level of controversy and personal stakes when Michael Che targeted his co-anchor's wife, the globally famous actress Scarlett Johansson. This segment, where Colin Jost and Che write offensive, often boundary-pushing jokes for each other to read blind, is a staple of the show's holiday and finale episodes. However, a particular set of "tasteless jokes" aimed at Johansson drew a reaction that transcended the usual comedic shock, leading to a public apology and a memorable act of on-air retaliation that continues to define the dynamic between the three stars, even as of late 2025.

The "Michael Che Scarlett Johansson joke" is not a single punchline but a series of increasingly vulgar and personal comments that Jost was forced to deliver, culminating in a dramatic on-stage confrontation. The incident highlighted the fine line between edgy comedy and genuine offense, especially when a celebrity spouse is involved. The full timeline of the feud, the specific jokes, and Johansson's reaction are essential for understanding one of the most talked-about moments in recent *SNL* history.

The Infamous Joke Swap: Context, The Joke, and Immediate Fallout

The "Joke Swap" is a high-risk, high-reward segment that has become a beloved, if uncomfortable, holiday tradition on *SNL*'s "Weekend Update." The premise is simple: Jost and Che write jokes for each other that they would never say themselves, often touching on sensitive or politically incorrect topics. The segment is a testament to their on-screen chemistry and off-screen friendship, allowing them to push boundaries under the guise of mutual sabotage.

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The Joke That Crossed the Line

The specific joke that sparked the most intense reaction was part of a Christmas or Season Finale Joke Swap. Michael Che wrote a joke for Colin Jost—his real-life friend and husband to Scarlett Johansson—that was crude and highly personal. The joke, which Jost was forced to read live, compared the actress's genitalia to the notoriously cheap and long-lasting food item from Costco.

The exact wording, which was deliberately vulgar, drew gasps from the audience and an immediate, visible reaction from Jost. It was an explicit and deeply personal roast, pushing the boundaries of the segment far beyond its typical political or observational humor.

Scarlett Johansson's "Genuine Shock"

The fallout was immediate, both on and off-screen. Scarlett Johansson later spoke publicly about her reaction, describing the moment as one of "genuine shock." She admitted that she "blacked out" during the reading of the joke because it was so "painful" and "vulgar." While Jost is a writer for Che's jokes as well, Johansson felt that Che's deliberate targeting of her was a step too far, hinting that "retaliation should be expected."

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This public reaction elevated the controversy beyond a simple *SNL* sketch. It became a viral moment, sparking debates across social media about the rules of comedy, the sacredness of marriage, and whether Che had gone too far in his on-air rivalry with Jost. The dynamic of a friend forcing a husband to publicly humiliate his wife added a layer of dramatic tension that viewers couldn't ignore.

The Retaliation: Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost Get Their Revenge

True to her word, Scarlett Johansson did not let the insult stand. The latest and most dramatic chapter of this saga unfolded during a subsequent "Weekend Update" segment, likely a season finale, when the tables were finally turned on Michael Che.

The Apology and the Ambush

The segment began with Michael Che feigning a sincere apology. He invited Johansson onto the stage, declaring that he wanted to "apologize to someone I hurt" with his "tasteless jokes." This setup was, of course, part of the elaborate comedic ambush planned by Jost and Johansson.

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Johansson, appearing on the "Weekend Update" set, accepted the apology but then immediately took control. She revealed that she and Jost had written a series of excruciatingly embarrassing and vulgar jokes for Che to read about himself. This was her long-awaited "revenge."

Che's Humiliation and The Payback Jokes

The payback was swift and brutal. Che was forced to read a line, written by Jost, that was an equally crude self-roast, comparing his own lack of sexual experience to a bizarre, non-human scenario. One particularly memorable line Jost made Che read was: "I was just lashing out because I’m jealous. I’ve never seen a human vagina. Notice I said human, because I’ve seen a horse vagina and a dog vagina, and I’m sorry, but they are not the same."

Another joke, written by Jost and delivered by Che, suggested that Che couldn't take his hoodie off during sex because he had "more nipples than a bag of marbles." Johansson and Jost stood over him, clearly enjoying the moment of comedic justice. This segment provided the satisfying resolution that many fans had been waiting for, turning the controversy into a complete, self-contained comedic narrative. Che’s on-air misery was the perfect comedic foil to Johansson's earlier "painful" reaction.

The Legacy of the Tasteless Joke and Topical Authority

The "Michael Che Scarlett Johansson joke" and the subsequent retaliation have cemented their place in *SNL* lore, not just as a funny sketch, but as a defining moment in the "Joke Swap" tradition. It proved that the segment could genuinely shock and that the stakes were higher than ever, especially with a major Hollywood star like Johansson directly involved. The incident is a goldmine of topical authority, touching on key entities and LSI keywords that drive ongoing conversation.

• The Personal Stakes: Unlike previous joke swaps that focused on politics or general observations, this one was deeply personal, involving a marriage between two high-profile celebrities: Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson.
• The Line Between Edgy and Offensive: The joke sparked significant discussion about the role of comedy in a post-#MeToo era, with many debating whether the vulgarity was justified by the segment's established premise.
• The *SNL* Dynamic: It reinforced the on-screen persona of Michael Che as the irreverent, boundary-pushing comedian and Colin Jost as his more straight-laced, Harvard-educated target.
• The Power of Retaliation: Johansson's involvement in the revenge segment was a powerful moment, showing that even the subjects of the jokes can—and will—fight back, adding a compelling new layer to the comedic tradition.

Ultimately, the saga of the tasteless joke, the genuine shock, the comedic apology, and the ultimate, satisfying revenge has become a celebrated highlight of the *SNL* "Weekend Update" era. It's a perfect example of how the show can blend scripted comedy with real-life relationships to create viral, unforgettable television. The incident continues to be a reference point for both the hosts' friendship and the limits of on-air roasting.