The actress’s live reaction steals the show during SNL’s Christmas episode as Jost delivers a shocking gag written by Michael Che.
Scarlett Johansson found herself at the centre of an unexpected comedic moment during this year’s Saturday Night Live Christmas episode, leaving audiences and her husband, Colin Jost, laughing nervously at her stunned reaction.
The annual festive edition, hosted by Only Murders in the Building star Martin Short, featured the much-anticipated “joke exchange” on the Weekend Update segment, where anchors Jost and Michael Che take turns blindsiding each other with unseen jokes.
This year, the banter escalated as Jost was forced to read his jokes in an exaggerated “Black voice” before delivering a politically charged quip about Kamala Harris and reparations. But it was the next joke that truly shocked, taking aim at Johansson, who was backstage watching the live broadcast.
The gag touched on the couple’s private life, including Johansson’s age, their child, and their sex life—a combination that visibly left the Marriage Story star speechless. SNL cameras captured her wide-eyed reaction in real time, to the delight of the studio audience.
“Oh my gosh, she’s so genuinely worried,” Jost remarked after delivering the line, struggling to contain his laughter. The live moment quickly became one of the highlights of the night, sparking immediate reactions on social media as fans marvelled at Johansson’s natural response.
Earlier in the evening, Johansson had made a surprise appearance in the show’s cold open, but nothing could have prepared her for becoming an unexpected punchline later in the episode.
Che’s sly orchestration of the joke exchange seemed to leave Jost in the hot seat, with audiences wondering how much of the gag was scripted versus spontaneous. Regardless, it served as a testament to the unpredictable and often outrageous charm of SNL, even after nearly five decades on the air.
As the night unfolded, the light-hearted moment underscored the unique dynamic between Jost and Johansson, whose marriage has often been the subject of playful ribbing in the media. Fans were left applauding Johansson’s good-natured reaction and the comedic chemistry between the couple.
The episode, filled with holiday cheer, celebrity cameos, and unexpected twists, proved yet again why SNL remains a staple of American pop culture—and why Johansson and Jost’s relationship continues to be one of Hollywood’s most endearing and entertaining pairings.
