Scarlett Johansson addresses husband Colin Jost's 'vulgar' SNL joke, calls it 'not okay'

The actress expresses her shock over her husband’s controversial roast on live television.

Scarlett Johansson has addressed the controversy surrounding a joke made by her husband, Colin Jost, on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL).

During a recent appearance on the "Today" show, the actress revealed her astonishment at the vulgarity of the gag, describing it as "just wrong." 

Speaking with co-host Jenna Bush Hager, the 40-year-old star reflected on the moment, saying, "It got so vulgar." Although she had been briefed prior to the segment and had communicated her desire for the joke not to lead to her "cancelled or divorced," Scarlett still found herself taken aback by the explicit nature of the comment.

"Honestly, Jenna, I felt like it was like To Catch a Predator," she added, emphasizing her disbelief. Fellow actress Emma Stone also voiced her disapproval, turning to Scarlett and declaring, "That was not okay."

The controversial joke pertained to Colin's comedic commentary about Costco's decision to remove roast beef sandwiches from their menu. In a routine called 'Joke Swap,' Colin read from a script written by his co-star Michael Che, saying, "I've been eating roast beef every night since my wife had the kids," prompting a camera cut to Scarlett backstage, who gasped, "Oh my God."

Scarlett humorously suggested that Che may have a "vendetta" against the couple, quipping, "I feel like Michael is trying to get us permanently removed. What did we do to you, Michael?"

Colin, who has co-hosted SNL's Weekend Update since 2014, acknowledged in a subsequent appearance on "The Tonight Show" that the unexpected nature of the joke genuinely shocked Scarlett.

"She was genuinely so shocked," he confirmed, explaining that while some staff had given her a heads-up, he had not previewed the content himself. 

Colin married Scarlett in October 2020, and the couple share a son, Cosmo, while Scarlett also has a 10-year-old daughter, Rose, from a previous marriage.