Michael Che’s Humorous Apology to Scarlett Johansson During Weekend Update
In an amusing segment on “Weekend Update,” Michael Che lightheartedly addressed his past comments regarding actress Scarlett Johansson. This came during the final episode of Saturday Night Live’s 50th season, where Che took a moment to apologize for a particularly infamous roast beef joke.
Opening the bit with a comedic flair, Che called upon Johansson, saying, “Before I tell another joke, I wanna take this opportunity to apologize to someone I hurt. Scarlett, can you come out here?” This was amidst a playful joke-swap with his co-host, Colin Jost, who just so happens to be Johansson’s husband. He remarked, “Y’know, last time we did joke-swap, I made Colin do some tasteless jokes comparing your vagina to Costco roast beef.”
Che’s original roast beef joke stirred quite the reaction, particularly during a December edition of “Weekend Update.” In that segment, Jost humorously cautioned that Costco might be removing its beloved roast beef sandwich from the menu, setting the stage for Che’s provocative remarks.
Adding a twist of self-deprecation, Che confessed, “The fact is I was just lashing out because I’m jealous. I’ve never even seen a human vagina.” His joke continued with a flair for the absurd, as he clarified, “And notice I said ‘human,’ because I once spent the summer on a farm.”
Anticipating her return to SNL as host, Johansson had previously expressed her intention to “burn” Che “back” for his roast beef comment. Reflecting on her experience, she shared in an interview with Vanity Fair, “I had all these cameras on me. I didn’t expect the setup to be like that. I was like, ‘Wow, you really are seventh-, eighth-grade boys…’ I feel like it’s almost my responsibility to come up with some way to burn Michael back. Retaliation, I’d say, should be expected.”
In a final humorous jab, Che comically added, “When Colin discovered me, I was selling crack outside. I’ve told thousands of jokes on ‘Update’ that have gotten dozens of laughs, but I’ve never said the three most important words of all: I love you.”
These playful interactions exemplify the humor and camaraderie that characterize SNL, showcasing the dynamic between its cast and guests.