Michael Che Warned Colin Jost About One ‘SNL’ Punchline and Said ‘If You Tell That Joke on Air, I’m Quitting the Show’; the Joke Then Became a Hit: ‘I Was Furious’

As a long-time follower of Saturday Night Live (SNL), I can empathize with Michael Che‘s emotional turmoil during the infamous “jalapeño business” incident. Having been part of this esteemed comedy institution for years, it’s natural to develop a certain level of investment in each sketch, especially when it comes to the beloved “Weekend Update” segment.

During a recent chat on the “Fly on the Wall” podcast, Michael Che admitted that a “Weekend Update” joke about salsa almost caused him to leave the show. When asked by hosts and fellow SNL veterans Dana Carvey and David Spade if any joke still bothered him, Che replied, “The jalapeño joke… I was really angry about that one.

Jost remarked, ‘It seemed you were a bit disappointed it functioned so smoothly,'” said Jost, joining Che during their “Fly on the Wall” chat.

The humor in question stemmed from a joke made by Jost regarding an event back in 2015, where a woman got angry and hit her boyfriend repeatedly with a pan after he ate a shared tub of salsa. This incident led to the woman receiving an 18-month prison sentence for the attack.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I distinctly recall during rehearsals when you delivered that line, as it was an entirely fresh take for me. The specific context escapes me at the moment, but the climax was undeniably the humor-infused phrase, “jalapeño business.

During the live broadcast, Jost summarized the crime and followed it up with a witty remark: “Even you would be annoyed if your boyfriend was involved in a jalapeño venture.” The humor stemmed from his playful twist on the popular phrase “mind your own business.” Clearly, Che didn’t find it amusing.

In a heated moment, Che exclaimed, “If you tell that joke during the broadcast, I’m walking off. I’m resigning from this show,” he remembered. And indeed, it was told on air and it bombed terribly. This left me incredibly annoyed. I couldn’t help but think, “What is the point of us even continuing?

The joke was a hit, which dumbfounded Che. Despite being frustrated, Che stayed with “Saturday Night Live” and is set to once again anchor the “Weekend Update” segment alongside Jost when “SNL” returns for its 50th anniversary season this fall. Listen to the duo’s full appearance on the “Fly on the Wall” podcast here.

2024-09-16 20:49

Michael Che Warned Colin Jost About One ‘SNL’ Punchline and Said ‘If You Tell That Joke on Air, I’m Quitting the Show’; the Joke Then Became a Hit: ‘I Was Furious’

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