As a die-hard movie fan, I must say that one of my favorite annual traditions from Saturday Night Live is the hilarious joke exchange between Weekend Update anchors, Colin Jost and Michael Che. Every year, this event is something the audience eagerly anticipates, and this year’s swap was undoubtedly the most outrageous yet! It was both entertaining and pushed the boundaries of the tradition, making it one of the best exchanges to date.
Interestingly, Saturday Night Live isn’t known for its long-standing traditions, but the joke exchange has managed to carve out a unique niche. The very first exchange took place back in 2015 for the Thanksgiving episode of season 41. Initially, they only traded one joke each, but it set the stage for what would become an annual tradition – Michael Che getting Colin Jost to take a self-deprecating dig or two.
Even though the concept of the SNL Weekend Update joke swap was entertaining initially, it wasn’t revitalized until three years later during the 2018 Christmas special. This marked the beginning of the “gift exchange” format that has since been maintained twice a season, for both the Christmas episode and the season finale. Over time, it has grown into a cherished biannual event for viewers almost as much as the hosts themselves. Every year, spectators eagerly anticipate the hilarious interplay between Che and Jost, with Jost often falling short in retaliation. However, this year, neither host held back, making the joke swap more brutal than last year’s SNL 50 Weekend Update Christmas episode.
Colin Jost & Michael Che’s Annual SNL Weekend Update Joke Swap Was The Diciest One Yet
It Pushed Boundaries Even For Them
The primary objective of Weekend Update hosts on SNL has always been to poke fun at current events through sharp and sometimes edgy humor. Although these jests can be racy and occasionally borderline inappropriate, they are still part of network television, so they must not overstep boundaries too drastically. However, during the annual joke swap, all rules seem to be suspended. It’s a recurring gag that Jost reminds the audience every season finale that the purpose is for them to exchange jokes that won’t get anyone fired or canceled – the humor being that the jokes Che writes for Jost would undoubtedly be highly offensive and racist if everyone wasn’t in on the joke. Delivered with feigned horror and laughter by Jost, it’s all meant to be a lighthearted jest.
On this coming Saturday, the yearly exchange of jokes between Che and Jost, the two Weekend Update hosts and co-writers of SNL, reached unprecedented limits. Last night, in their usual competition, Jost seems to have understood that neither needs to outdo each other, but rather, they both should aim to underperform. Consequently, the joke swap, which Che often dominates, could be considered a tie. In pushing the boundaries of comedy, these two have shown exceptional skill in walking the fine line without overstepping it, but this weekend’s exchanged jokes may have crossed that line for some viewers, depending on their personal tolerance levels.
It’s hard to deny, some of their humor took me by surprise and made me question if they had crossed a line this time. Jost managed to crack Che up with an extended joke about bestiality, which was quite bold for him, marking the first instance where he really went all out during their comedic exchanges. However, it was another joke that would likely raise eyebrows. This one, aimed at Jost, involved Steve Kerr, his son Nick, and a play on words that sounded similar to a racial slur when pronounced quickly. Despite being a joke, it was almost touching upon a boundary that should never be breached. It was all in good humor, but it came very close to one of the few absolute taboos.
It’s Hard To See How Che & Jost Can Push The Joke Swap Envelope Further In SNL Season 51
There Are Limits To The Game Of Joke Swap Chicken
Reflecting on the tumultuous Weekend Update joke swap segment this season, it’s challenging to envision how it could escalate any further in Saturday Night Live season 51. It seems highly unlikely that it can, unless they intend for their friendly competition of outdoing each other to transform into something contentious and potentially land them in hot water, either with viewers or even legally. You see, when you play a game of chicken, someone eventually has to back down, and if neither side does, well, then, it can only lead to mutual self-destruction. Che and Jost came awfully close to that this weekend.
The recent SNL joke swap was one of their best, but it also set a high bar for next season, which might struggle to match or even surpass it. If they continue pushing boundaries like this, there could be potential issues such as backlash or controversy. However, given their track record of being both sharp and funny, Che and Jost may have crossed a line with the SNL Season 50 finale. But then again, they might have been given leeway to go all out for the season finale.
Next Season Will Feel Tame Overall Compared To SNL 50
The Whole Season Had A Chaotic & Throwback Feel
Prior to this weekend’s joke swap, the 50th season of Saturday Night Live has been characterized by a carefree atmosphere due to the season-long celebration of its live show being on air for fifty years. That’s quite an achievement for any program, especially one that was initially predicted to last only a handful of episodes when it debuted in 1975. The first unstructured live broadcast was depicted in last year’s biopic Saturday Night, which premiered alongside the start of season 50.
During the season, numerous other events were planned, such as the Peacock’s SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night documentary that dropped in January of this year. The biggest events took place in February, highlighted by the star-studded SNL50: The Homecoming Concert television special, followed by the exceptional SNL50: The Anniversary Special. This special was truly remarkable, featuring returning former alumni, even some from the original 1975 SNL cast like Garrett Morris, for a three-hour live episode. It was a bit chaotic and messy but incredibly enjoyable to watch, serving as a reminder of SNL’s rich history and the legendary comedians it produced.
| Host | With SNL Since | Weekend Update Anchor Since | # Of Episodes To Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Jost | 2005 (staff writer) | 2014 (Season 39) | 383 |
| Michael Che | 2013 (staff writer) | 2014 (Season 40) | 232 |
The playful turbulence of the entire holiday period was reflected perfectly in the joke swap between Jost and Che during Weekend Update. While some jokes were borderline daring, they encapsulated the daring attitude of “Why not take a chance?” that has always been a defining characteristic of Saturday Night Live. Though it may not have the same impact as before, SNL continues to boast talented writers and comedians. When they’re given the freedom to express themselves, it can be quite entertaining. Che and Jost demonstrated this during their segment this weekend, although pushing boundaries any further next season might not be advisable.
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2025-05-20 00:38