Scarlett Johansson has had her fair share of memorable moments on “Saturday Night Live.” However, nothing could have prepared her for the joke that left her speechless. The actor addressed being the subject of the “SNL” Christmas Joke Swap 2024, calling the joke “vulgar” and “gross” in a recent interview with InStyle. Following her husband Colin Jost’s delivery of the joke during the segment, the cameras cut to Johansson’s face, only to find the actor at a loss for words.
Scarlett Johansson calls SNL joke about her ‘vulgar’ and ‘gross’
Scarlett Johansson is no stranger to “SNL,” sharing personal ties with the show through her husband, Colin Jost. Besides, she is one of the show’s most iconic hosts and an honorary member of the Five-Timers Club. The actor was thus backstage during the “SNL” annual end-of-the-year joke swap where co-anchors Jost and Michael Che write jokes for each other to read once they are on air. However, audiences gasped when Jost delivered a joke that Johansson would later deem “vulgar.”
Without prior knowledge and visibly hesitant, Jost read out the punchline written by Che: “Costco has removed the roast beef sandwich from its menu. But I ain’t trippin’. I’ve been eating roast beef every night since my wife had the kid.” With gasps and laughter from the audience, the cameras then showed a surprised Johansson backstage, taking in the unexpected remark.
After about three months of the segment’s broadcast, Johansson spoke to InStyle in an exclusive interview published on March 11. Addressing the joke for the first time publicly, the actor told the outlet, “It was so vulgar.” She expressed her unpreparedness for the moment, revealing that although she knew a joke involving her would be included, she could not have anticipated the specifics.
“I just can’t believe that they went there,” she remarked while laughing, describing the joke as “old-school gross.” Furthermore, the Oscar nominee recalled feeling “insane” and like she was “going to faint” when the cameras waited for her reaction. However, despite the shock, Johansson and Jost processed the moment together at 4 a.m. in bed. She told Jost, “My nerves are shot,” and the comedian replied, “Me too.”
Shortly after commenting on the joke, Johansson maintained her appreciation for the “SNL” brand of humor in the interview. She remarked, “The live element of it is really fun,” calling it “spontaneous and a little dangerous.” Hence, “SNL” and its jokes might occasionally catch Scarlett Johansson off guard, but the actor understands the thrill — even if she is unexpectedly her husband Colin Jost’s subject of ridicule.
