Michael Che Blindsides Colin Jost With Shocking Scarlett Johansson, Jenna Ortega Joke on SNL

Michael Che delivered an unforgettable Christmas surprise to his co-host Colin Jost on Saturday Night Live, tricking him into reading a jaw-dropping joke about his wife, Scarlett Johansson, and Wednesday star Jenna Ortega during their live "Weekend Update" segment.

The prank unfolded during the show's December 20th episode in the annual "Joke Swap" tradition, where the two hosts write offensive punchlines for each other to read cold on the air.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Che set the trap by telling Jost beforehand that they would be skipping the segment this year. A completely unprepared Jost was visibly caught off guard when Che pulled out the cue cards. "That's interesting because you specifically said that we were not doing it this year," Jost protested. Che innocently replied, "Oh, did I? Well, I guess you'll just have to read mine."

Forced into the segment, Jost began reading a joke aimed directly at his wife, Scarlett Johansson, as her photo appeared on screen.

"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. My girl already be like, 'Colin, I'm warm. Colin, I'm sweating.' Bitch, you having a hot flash!"

But the humiliation didn't stop there. The joke took a raunchy and unexpected turn, targeting actress Jenna Ortega.

"Don't worry about me, I got a backup. They don't call Wednesday hump day for nothing."

As a photo of Ortega as Wednesday Addams appeared, a stunned Jost could only stare in disbelief. Holding back laughter, Che quipped, "Wow, Colin, I wouldn't have done that one."

This comedic rivalry is a two-way street. Earlier in the year, Jost and Johansson got their payback. During the May joke swap, they forced Che to read a self-deprecating apology for his "tasteless jokes," which included the line, "I can't even take my hoodie off during sex because I have more nipples than a pregnant dog."

PRISM Insight: In an era dominated by polished, on-demand content, SNL's joke swap is a masterclass in manufactured chaos. This tradition thrives on the very real risk of live television—the genuine shock, the unscripted laughter, the public humiliation among friends. It's a high-wire act that reminds viewers of the thrill of shared, unpredictable moments, something streaming algorithms can't replicate.