Colin Jost and Michael Che swap Weekend Update jokes in SNL season finale

Comparison summary

AI-assisted · Cerebras / Llama · May 18, 2026, 4:25 AM · inspect sources below rather than trusting this alone

Colin Jost and Michael Che participated in their biannual joke swap during the season finale of 'Saturday Night Live.' The segment featured a variety of humorous exchanges, including a controversial joke about Michael Jackson. This event was covered by multiple outlets, highlighting the comedic nature of the segment.

Coverage diverges in the emphasis placed on specific jokes and the tone of the reporting. Variety focused on the provocative nature of Che's joke regarding Michael Jackson, framing it as a notable moment in the episode. In contrast, both r/television and Mashable provided a more straightforward recap of the joke swap without delving into the controversy, emphasizing the overall comedic aspect instead.

What's missing from the coverage is a deeper analysis of audience reactions to the jokes, particularly the implications of referencing sensitive topics like Michael Jackson. This absence may reflect a blind spot among left-leaning outlets, which could have explored the potential impact of such humor on public discourse.