Saturday Night Live’s annual Christmas joke swap delivered another unforgettable moment, but this time Michael Che took deception to a whole new level.
Che convinced his “Weekend Update” co-anchor Colin Jost that they’d be skipping their notorious tradition this year.
When those dreaded cue cards appeared during the December 20th episode, Jost’s genuine shock was written all over his face.
What followed was comedy gold — and a masterclass in catching your friend completely off guard.
The Setup Was Pure Evil
Che opened the segment by explaining their biannual tradition where each comedian writes offensive jokes for the other to read cold. Jost immediately looked suspicious.
That’s interesting because you specifically said that we were not doing it this year. You know that I didn’t write any jokes for you.
Che’s innocent response sealed Jost’s fate.
Oh, did I? Well, I guess you’ll just have to read mine.
Without any ammunition of his own, Jost was completely defenseless against whatever Che had prepared. And Che had definitely prepared.
Scarlett Johansson Takes Center Stage (Again)
True to form, Che’s most cringe-worthy joke targeted Jost’s wife, actress Scarlett Johansson. Research about menopause forcing women from the workforce became the vehicle for absolute chaos.
New research shows that millions of women leave the workforce due to menopause… which means there’s only a couple years left on my gravy train.
As Johansson’s photo flashed on screen, Jost grimaced through lines about hot flashes. But Che wasn’t finished destroying his friend’s dignity.
The punchline involved Jost declaring he had “a backup” — referencing “hump day” before a photo of Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams character appeared behind him.
Jost’s stunned reaction said everything. He stared around in disbelief, laughing through sheer shock at what he’d just been forced to say on national television.
Che, barely containing his own laughter, twisted the knife further.
Wow, Colin, I wouldn’t have done that one.
Other Jaw-Dropping Moments From The Segment
Johansson wasn’t Che’s only target. Throughout the swap, Jost visibly hesitated before reading his cue cards, knowing offensive punchlines awaited.
One joke about U.S. Mint coins and civil rights history took an extremely dark turn that left Jost struggling to deliver the words. His discomfort was palpable with each syllable.
Meanwhile, Che sat back enjoying every uncomfortable second.
You should’ve wrote some jokes for me to tell.
The quip perfectly captured Che’s satisfaction at completely outmaneuvering his costar.
Johansson: SNL’s Most Frequent Target
Since Jost and Johansson began dating in 2017 and married three years later, the Marvel actress has become consistent “Weekend Update” fodder. She’s also SNL’s most frequent female host, appearing in seven episodes.
Her proximity to Jost makes her irresistible material for Che’s ruthless comedy brain. And honestly? Johansson seems to take it all in stride.
Earlier in 2024, she even joined forces with Jost for revenge during May’s joke swap segment. Che was forced to read an elaborate apology to Johansson for “tasteless jokes,” which quickly devolved into absurd confessions.
The Jost-written jokes had Che admitting jealousy, making bizarre farm references, and describing embarrassing physical attributes involving more nipples than a pregnant dog.
Why This Tradition Keeps Getting Better
The joke swap works because both comedians commit fully to making each other as uncomfortable as possible. There are no boundaries, no safe topics, and absolutely no mercy.
What makes this year’s version particularly memorable is Che’s deception. By convincing Jost they’d skip the tradition, he eliminated any defense his costar might have prepared.
Key elements that make the segment legendary:
- Genuine reactions from cold reading
- No topic is off-limits
- Personal relationships become fair game
- The visible discomfort creates authentic comedy
- Each year tries to outdo the previous one
Fans eagerly anticipate these segments because they reveal something rare in scripted television: real surprise and real embarrassment.
What’s Next For SNL
Saturday Night Live season 51 returns January 17, 2026, with Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard hosting and A$AP Rocky providing musical performances.
Whether the joke swap will return remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: Jost now knows never to trust Che when he says they’re skipping their tradition.
The lesson? In comedy friendships, trust no one — especially during the holidays.