Scarlett Johansson has opened up about a controversial joke her husband, Colin Jost, delivered during a recent episode of Saturday Night Live.
Speaking on the Today show, the Hollywood actress admitted she was stunned by the remark, which she described as “just wrong.”
The joke that left Scarlett stunned
During SNL’s popular Weekend Update segment, Jost participated in a joke swap with co-host Michael Che. In the bit, Jost delivered a line written by Che.
“I’ve been eating roast beef every night since my wife had the kids,” he joked.
The camera cut backstage to a visibly shocked Johansson, who exclaimed.
“Oh my God.” the actress said.
“Honestly, Jenna, I felt like it was like To Catch a Predator. The jokes were so vulgar.”
Emma Stone, who was also present, shared Johansson’s disbelief.
“That was not okay.”
Scarlett admitted the moment left her rattled.
“My heart was racing, my eyes were watering, my hands were shaking. It was very surreal.”
Jost addressed the incident during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He explained that while SNL staffers gave Johansson a vague warning about a “vulgar” joke, he had no idea about its specifics until delivering it live.
“I didn’t know where it was going, and then the graphic came up for Arby’s,” Jost recalled, referencing the joke’s roast beef punchline.
He also revealed that Johansson had agreed to a joke in principle, though she was unprepared for the final result.
“Scarlett was genuinely so shocked,” Jost said.
Despite the awkward moment, Johansson and Jost seem to be handling the fallout with humor. Married since 2020, the couple shares a 3-year-old son, Cosmo, and Johansson has a 10-year-old daughter, Rose, from a previous marriage.
While Scarlett jokingly accused Che of having a “vendetta” against her and Jost, their playful dynamic continues to shine.