Scarlett Johansson has shared her shock over a joke her husband, Colin Jost, made during Saturday Night Live, calling it “just wrong” during an appearance on the Today show. The 40-year-old actress, who is set to co-host Today with Jenna & Friends, broke her silence Friday about the gag, which aired during SNL’s Christmas episode last month.
According to the TODAY, the joke, written by Jost’s Weekend Update co-host Michael Che, took an unexpectedly “vulgar” turn, leaving Johansson stunned. Speaking with Jenna Bush Hager, Johansson revealed she had been given advance notice about the segment but wasn’t prepared for its tone. “Honestly, Jenna, I felt like it was like To Catch a Predator.
The jokes were so vulgar,” she said. The controversial quip centered on Costco’s roast beef sandwich being removed from the menu. Jost remarked, “I’ve been eating roast beef every night since my wife had the kids.” Johansson, who was watching backstage, was visibly taken aback, reportedly exclaiming, “Oh my God,” on camera.
The actress also revealed that even her friend and fellow star Emma Stone found the joke shocking, telling her, “That was not okay.” Johansson humorously accused Che of having a “vendetta” against her and Jost, joking, “What did we do to you, Michael?”
According to the outlet, Jost later addressed the moment on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, admitting he was “genuinely surprised” by the joke and its graphic punchline. “It was a legitimate live moment,” he said. Johansson and Jost, who married in 2020, share a three-year-old son, Cosmo. Johansson also has a 10-year-old daughter, Rose, from a previous marriage.
While the moment left Johansson stunned, it also provided a humorous glimpse into the couple’s relationship and their ability to handle unexpected live TV moments with grace—and a little humor. Fans and viewers continue to weigh in on the joke, which has sparked both laughter and debate about its appropriateness.