Comedian Michael Che issues an on-air apology to Scarlett Johansson on SNL after making a controversial ‘vulgar’ joke about her body. Read the full story behind the incident and reaction.
In a memorable moment during the Season 50 finale of Saturday Night Live on May 17, 2025, comedian Michael Che issued a public apology to actress Scarlett Johansson for a crude joke he had written about her earlier in the season.
The apology took place during the “Weekend Update” segment, known for its “joke swap” tradition, where Jost and Che exchange jokes they haven’t seen beforehand. In this instance, Che invited Johansson to the desk to address a particularly offensive joke he had penned about her anatomy. Feigning sincerity, Che admitted to feeling jealous and embarrassed about his own body, delivering a series of self-deprecating remarks. Johansson, standing by with a composed demeanor, acknowledged the apology with a smile and a nod. Her husband, Colin Jost, also participated in the segment, donning bright red lipstick and humorously pleading for SNL creator Lorne Michaels to let him take over the show after Michaels’ rumored retirement.
The original joke, which aired in December 2024, involved a crude comparison of Johansson’s body to a roast beef sandwich. Johansson later expressed her shock and discomfort, stating that she found the joke “really gross” and “old-school gross.” She described the experience as intense, recalling how she felt like she was going to faint upon seeing the joke unfold live.
The Season 50 finale also featured Johansson’s musical monologue, a parody of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” which recapped the season’s highlights. Musical guest Bad Bunny delivered dynamic performances, and the episode concluded with a heartfelt moment between Johansson and Jost, who shared a kiss and a bouquet of flowers.
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