Who: Colin Jost

Cast Member Since: 2014

Near the end of SNL‘s 2018-2019 season, Uproxx published a controversial article entitled “Why Does Everyone (Still) Hate ‘SNL’s Colin Jost?” I say “controversial” because it bothered Jost’s Weekend Update co-host, Michael Che, so much that he took the time to personally respond. Multiple times.

The thing is, the article does raise some accurate points. But before we get into that, let’s take a brief look at Jost’s career. Jost was hired straight into SNL‘s writing room at age 23 after graduating from Harvard in 2005. This is interesting since most viewers may not realize Jost has spent his entire professional career to-date at SNL. When you look at what his work has given him, it’s easy to see why he isn’t running towards the exit. Jost has racked up 10 Primetime Emmy nominations, 5 WGA Award wins, and, as of 2019, he and Che set an SNL record for longest consecutive time a duo has spent at the Weekend Update desk. And oh yeah, he met his now fiancé Scarlett Johansson when she first hosted in 2006.

Off the show, these accolades have led to several high profile gigs such as co-hosting last year’s Emmys (to mixed reviews), a spot in the 2019 WrestleMania (also with mixed reviews), a feature film screenwriting credit, and a role in the upcoming Tom & Jerry live action/CG hybrid. Not bad.

With a resume like that, it’s crazy to think how polarizing Jost can actually be with viewers. Which brings us back to the now infamous April 2019 Uproxx article. At times, like when writer Steven Hyden labels him “a smug hack who relies far too often on easy, frat-dude punchlines about porno movies and penis sizes,” or when it summarizes him as “the epitome of white-male mediocrity,” it goes too far.

However, Hyden also correctly points out Jost’s biggest critique is being too safe and level-headed when interpreting today’s headlines, which is a big reason why viewers questioned Lorne Michaels’ direction for the post-Seth Meyers era Weekend Update. Other passages from the article, such as “Jost never gets in trouble for taking a dangerous position on an important issue — his comedy comes from a place of centrist, dispassionate pragmatism,” are inarguable, spot-on observations.

In full transparency, Jost’s “centrist” approach is what I’m enjoying most about his time behind the desk, especially this past season. I find Che and Jost’s political coverage —namely the Trump administration jokes— stronger than any Alec Baldwin cold opening because they’ve stumbled into a formula that leaves room for surprise. A typical Jost political joke tends to be a semi-sharp, left-leaning jab which leaves Che room to play off the same material but take it in a different direction. The result is more interesting than how someone like Tina Fey covered President George W. Bush; her political leanings (some would say bias) often made it very clear every joke was heading towards a mean-spirited punchline. This worked well early in the Bush presidency, but near the end of her run, she just came off as repetitive, angry and whiny. Che and Jost have a better set it up/knock it sideways approach which makes our chaotic current events landscape a bit more, well, funny.

Heading into SNL‘s 45th season, I don’t see Colin Jost’s role or delivery changing, and that’s just fine. I feel most viewers have made up their minds, adjusted expectations, and no longer feel like jumping off during his ride. My best guess is that he likely only has a 1-2 years left on the show anyways, and while he may not go down as a legendary Weekend Update anchor, he is certainly far from the worst.

WU Segment:Colin Jost and Michael Che Swap Jokes (December 2018)

Episode: Matt Damon/Mark Ronson & Miley Cyrus – 12/15/18

Notes: Arguably the best interplay between Jost and Che of the season. Each reads jokes written by the other for the first time live on-air. A nice evolution of the “Jokes Seth Can’t Tell” bit from Late Night with Seth Meyers.

WU Segment: Colin Jost and Michael Che Switch Jokes (May 2019)

Episode: Paul Rudd/DJ Khaled – 5/18/19

Note: The second appearance of a bit I’m hoping continues to appear two or three times per season. White Lightning.

SNL REPORT CARD FOR COLIN JOST: 3 Coneys

SCALE:

4 Coneys = Excellent / 3 Coneys = Good / 2 Coneys = Needs Improvement / 1 Coney = Worst

Jason Nummer still wonders what a second SNL season with Brooks Wheelan would have been like. You can follow him on Twitter at @jrnummer.