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Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost Faces Backlash Over Controversial Michael Jackson Joke
During the Season 51 finale of Saturday Night Live on May 16, co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che took part in their annual “Joke Swap” segment, a tradition where each writes a provocative, “cancellable” joke for the other to deliver live, unseen beforehand. While the segment is meant to be edgy and humorous, Colin Jost’s joke about Michael Jackson sparked significant outrage among viewers.
In the sketch, Michael Che read aloud a joke penned by Jost, which referenced studies about erectile dysfunction and shifted into a provocative commentary on Jackson’s sexual abuse allegations. The joke included a line sarcastically defending Jackson’s alleged misconduct, culminating in a personal, dark punchline about molestation and its supposed effects.
The exchange left Michael Che visibly stunned, even calling Jost “a terrible person” on air. Following the broadcast, social media quickly filled with criticism. Many viewers condemned the joke as distasteful and harmful, especially given the sensitive nature of the accusations against Jackson and ongoing debates about his innocence.
One viewer expressed disbelief that such a topic could be treated as comedic material, emphasizing that “Michael Jackson was innocent” and calling the joke “shameful.” Others questioned the judgment of the SNL writers, accusing them of trivializing child abuse and pushing boundaries too far. Some acknowledged that the “Joke Swap” segment is designed to be dark and risky but felt this particular joke crossed a line.
This incident marks another moment of controversy for Jost, who recently faced criticism from Jackson’s family over a previous edgy joke. The debate highlights the challenges and risks inherent in comedy that touches on sensitive and divisive subjects, especially on a widely viewed platform like Saturday Night Live.