The show’s format involves the hosts writing jokes for each other to read during ‘Weekend Update,’ with neither having seen the jokes beforehand.
Che is known for getting Jost to deliver edgy jokes about his wife. During a Christmas episode, Johansson was present to witness these jokes live.
“I want to dedicate this next joke to my boo, Scarlett Johansson,” Jost began, with the camera cutting to Johansson in the green room.
“Hey boo. Y’all know Scarlett just celebrated her 40th birthday, which means I’m about to get up out of there,” Jost continued. This was mild by SNL standards, but the next joke was a bit more daring.
The joke revolved around their son Cosmo, whom they welcomed in 2021. Jost was made to say they hadn’t shared a photo of their child because ‘he black as hell,’ eliciting gasps from the audience.
On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jost discussed his wife’s reaction to these jokes. He said: “I’m in trouble I think with a lot of people. Scarlett was genuinely so shocked.”
Jost confessed he was ‘obviously surprised’ by the jokes, but Johansson was forewarned about the segment’s nature.
“They were like, ‘Hey, would you be OK if Michael made a little, like, kind of vagina joke at some point?’ She was like, ‘Sure, whatever, I’m open to it,’” Jost told Fallon.
He continued: “I didn’t know where it was going, and then the graphic came up for Arby’s. So Scarlett is backstage like, ‘Oh my God, that’s what it is.’”