Scarlett Johansson’s Surprising Payback Stuns SNL Host After On-Air Apology for Risqué Joke

Is there anything quite as satisfying as a perfectly-timed comeback? Scarlett Johansson, queen of on-screen power plays and, let’s be honest, a true comedic force when the moment’s right, just delivered a masterclass in live television revenge. Let’s set the scene: Last year, during SNL’s time-honored ‘read each other’s jokes’ Weekend Update segment, her own husband, Colin Jost, unwittingly unleashed a Michael Che-penned zinger about roast beef that became internet legend—and left Scarlett gasping backstage, teetering between shock and “am I actually going to faint on live TV?” Fast forward to SNL’s season 50 finale, and suddenly the tables turned. Ever wondered what it takes to dish out payback for a national TV body joke—with a global audience leaning in for every syllable? If your partner tossed you under the punchline bus, how would you get even? Scarlett’s answer was as delicious as it was unexpected—and trust me, it’s a reminder that the best clapbacks come with dazzling wit and just the right dash of self-aware humor.

Ready for all the jaw-dropping details, gasp-worthy punchlines, and backstage banter only an SNL super-couple could pull off? LEARN MORE.

Scarlett Johansson got a little bit of revenge on the SNL host who wrote that joke about her body.

The Black Widow star, 40, hosted the NBC late night show for the season 50 finale, and was joined by her husband and SNL host Colin Jost.

Everything appeared to be going well on the night, and then the iconic Weekend Update segment came on.

So during that particular segment last year, Jost and co-host Michael Che present the bit, and took part in the tradition of reading out each other’s jokes, unaware of what had been written.

Jost read out a joke written by Che, which was about why Costco had taken the roast beef sandwich off their menu.

Scarlett Johansson was hosting SNL during the season 50 finale (NBC)

The spouse shockingly quipped: “I’ve been eating roast beef every night since my wife had the kids.”

Johansson was just as surprised as the live audience as she gasped back stage, later admitting she could ‘faint’ after hearing it.

Now, the tradition of reading out each other’s jokes continued in the latest show when Jost suddenly asked his wife to join them on set.

“Before I tell another joke, I want to take this opportunity to apologise to someone I hurt,” Che said.

“Scarlett, can you come out here?”

Che then started to read out the ‘revenge joke’ written by Jost: “Last time we did jokes live, I made Colin do some tasteless jokes comparing your vagina to Costco roast beef.”

“Yes I remember that,” she replied.

“Well, the fact is I was just lashing out because I’m jealous. I’ve never even seen a human vagina.

“And notice I said human. Because I once spent the summer on a farm. You feel me?

“Maybe I’m just embarrassed about my own body. I can’t even take my hoodie off during sex because I have more nipples than a pregnant dog.”

Johansson – who has now hosted the show seven times – replied: “Yes, I have heard that about you.”

She got her revenge (NBC)

It comes after the actor opened up about last year’s joke back in March, telling InStyle what she felt when she first heard it live.

“It was so vulgar. I just can’t believe that they went there. I was like… it was so gross, it was really gross. And, like, old-school gross,” she admitted.

Despite being on good-terms with Che, Johansson wasn’t expecting it.

“I was like, I mean, it’s a vagina joke, how bad could it be? And then as soon as the Costco photo came up, I was like, ‘No! No, Michael!'” she added.

“They were waiting for me to react. I felt insane. I was like, ‘I think I’m going to faint’.”

Johansson and Jost got married in 2020 and welcomed their first child together in 2021.