Colin Jost Got 'In Trouble' Over Crude 'SNL' Scarlett Johansson Joke

Colin Jost recently opened up about his wife Scarlett Johansson’s reaction to a controversial joke he made about her during a December 2024 episode of "Saturday Night Live."

The couple, who first met on the set of "SNL" in 2017 and married three years later, are no strangers to the comedic spotlight.

However, Colin Jost admitted this particular joke left Scarlett Johansson “genuinely shocked.”

During the December 21 episode, Jost and his "Weekend Update" co-host Michael Che participated in their popular segment of reading jokes written by the other. Jost hesitated before introducing the bit, saying, “I want to dedicate this next joke to my boo, Scarlett Johansson.” As the camera cut to Johansson, watching from backstage, she appeared visibly concerned.

Jost continued, cracking jokes about Johansson’s recent 40th birthday and their family life. “Hey boo, y’all know Scarlett just celebrated her 40th birthday, which means I’m about to get up out of there,” he quipped, laughing as his wife looked puzzled.

The joke escalated when Jost claimed, “We just had a kid together, and y’all ain’t see no pictures of him yet ’cause he black as hell.” A doctored photo of the couple with a black child flashed on screen, leaving both the audience and Jost in fits of laughter.

The segment also included a racy roast beef joke referencing Johansson’s postpartum experience. Jost admitted, “Costco has removed their roast beef sandwich from its menu, but I ain’t tripping. I be eating roast beef every night since my wife had the kid. … Nah, nah, I’m just playin’, baby.”

Appearing on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," Jost recounted his wife’s reaction, saying, “I’m in trouble, I think, with a lot of people. Scarlett was genuinely so shocked.”

He added that "SNL" producers gave Johansson a warning about the joke’s content, but even that didn’t prepare her for the delivery. “They were like, ‘Hey, would you be OK if Michael [Che] made a little, like, kind of v-gina joke at some point?’” Jost explained. “She was like, ‘Sure, you know, whatever, I’m open to it.’” However, when the graphic for Arby’s roast beef appeared on-screen, Johansson was taken aback.

“She was backstage like, ‘Oh, my God! That’s what it is?’” Jost recalled, laughing. Fallon described the moment as a “legitimate live moment,” to which Jost responded, “I was not. I can’t act that well.”

Johansson and Jost, who first went public with their relationship at the American Museum of Natural History Gala in 2017, have been married for four years. The couple became engaged in 2019 and tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in October 2020. They welcomed their son, Cosmo, in 2021. Johansson is also mom to 10-year-old Rose, whom she shares with ex-husband Romain Dauriac.

The two often share their playful dynamic in public. While the couple enjoys poking fun at each other, this "SNL" moment pushed the boundaries of their usual humor.

Last year, Scarlett Johansson gave fans a closer look at her relationship with comedian Colin Jost, and it’s clear the sparks are still flying.

The "Black Widow" actress recently shared details about her marriage, describing her husband as "kind," "hilarious," and "loving," but also revealed a mischievous side that keeps their relationship exciting.

Speaking on "Live with Kelly and Mark," Johansson joked about Jost’s playful nature. "He's also got his naughty side, you know. That's why he keeps it interesting," she shared. When host Mark Consuelos brought up the Staten Island ferry Jost purchased with fellow "SNL" alum Pete Davidson in 2022, Johansson laughed and quipped, "That’s the naughty part I was talking about."

Despite its quirky charm, the ferry remains a work in progress. "It is, yep, still decommissioned," she added, poking fun at the unconventional investment.

Having recently celebrated her 40th birthday, Johansson reflected on hitting the milestone and the sense of freedom it’s brought her. "It feels so liberating," she shared. "You take no thought to what anybody thinks again."

As the Marvel star navigates her career, motherhood, and marriage, it’s clear her sense of humor and her connection with Jost are at the heart of her happiness. Whether it’s raising their son or playfully teasing each other about ferry purchases, the couple continues to show that a little laughter goes a long way.