Scarlett Johansson is once AGAIN the butt of Saturday Night Live’s joke swap!
During this weekend’s Christmas episode, Weekend Update host Michael Che introduced his and co-host Colin Jost’s annual joke swap segment… which came as a BIG surprise to Colin! Michael said:
“Well, tonight is our Christmas show, and we have a tradition where me and Colin give each other jokes to read that neither of us has ever seen before.”
A look of bewilderment immediately grew across Colin’s face as he responded:
“See, that’s interesting because you specifically said that we were not doing it this year … and you know that I did not write any jokes for you.”
Michal deviously hit back:
“Awww, well, I guess you’ll just have to read mine.”
OMG! What a nasty trick! Ha!
After a couple WILD jokes, Colin read one about menopause:
“New research shows that millions of women leave the workforce due to menopause, which means there’s only a couple years left on my gravy train.”
A large image of Colin’s wife Scarlett pops up on screen as he continued:
“My girl already be like, ‘Colin, I’m warm. Colin, I’m sweating. Bitch, you havin’ a hot flash!”
OMFG!
The second year in a ROW the 41-year-old actress got dunked on?? OUCH! Colin, 43, continued:
“But don’t worry about me, I got a backup. They don’t call Wednesday ‘Humpday’ for nothing.”
An image of Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday character pops up on screen as Colin hangs his head in shame while Michael laughs. Watch the savage segment (below):
WOW. Do you think it’s messed up that Colin was tricked into not writing any jokes for Michael? Or hilarious? Let us know in the comments down below!
Weekend Update co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che‘s Joke Swap has become a semi-annualSaturday Night Live tradition and a highlight of NBC program’s Christmas episodes and season finales. The segment typically wraps Weekend Update. But not this time.
Maybe not to overshadow the bit that did close out this year’s holiday edition of Weekend Update — returning former cast member Aidy Bryant and departing SNL-er Bowen Yang reprising their classic Trend Forecasters characters — Jost and Che didn’t do a full-blown Joke Swap.
With the explanation that the duo had agreed not to do one this time, Jost was “surprised” by his co-host writing several jokes for him anyway.
Jost proceeded to read them — as usual squirming while doing it. They included the topics Che always goes for in Joke Swaps — forcing Jost to make inappropriate quips involving race and his wife Scarlett Johansson.
“Critics say a new series of coins from the US Mint celebrating great moments in the country’s history ignores civil rights,” Jost opened with. “But what about the coin that celebrates where Black people actually come from, ships?”
Then came the Johansson zinger.
“New research shows that millions of women leave the workforce due to menopause, which means there’s only a couple years left on my gravy train,” Jost read, as a photo of his wife appeared next to him.
There was more, including Jost “telling” Johansson “Bitch, you having a hot flash” and a line involving Wednesday star Jenna Ortega.
You can watch the segment above.
Jost similarly roasted Johansson in last year’s Christmas Joke Swap, with her getting revenge over Che in the season finale.
From whimsical thought to success, the idea developed while stoned is paying off with major sponsorship.
Sometimes those “what if?” ideas starting mid-sesh actually turn into something brilliant. As an example, the idea developed while stoned is paying off for there buddies. Just ask Pete Davidson and Colin Jost. What began as a hazy, half-joking idea while consuming cannabis — to buy an old Staten Island Ferry — has now become one of the best “high-deas” to ever float into reality.
Back in 2022, Davidson and his pal Colin Jost impulsively bought a decommissioned Staten Island ferry for $280,000. At the time, even their Saturday Night Live castmates weren’t sure if it was a punchline or a midlife crisis in motion. Davidson himself admitted it wasn’t exactly a sober moment of inspiration. “It was definitely one of those ideas that seemed genius at the time,” he joked later.
But here’s the twist: the offbeat purchase just turned into a marketing goldmine. The ferry — once destined for scrap — is now being transformed into a floating entertainment venue. And in the latest proof this high-idea turned high-value, Nike just inked a deal to advertise on it. Yes, Nike. The global sports giant saw enough cool factor (and cultural relevance) in Davidson’s drifting dream to climb aboard.
In fiscal year 2025 (ended May 31, 2025), Nike spent $4.689 billion on marketing, which they refer to as “demand creation expense”. In fiscal year 2024, the amount spent was $4.285 billion.
It’s a perfect example of how cannabis-fueled creativity can sometimes spark surprisingly good business instincts. The old ferry, now renamed the Titanic 2 (because of course it is), is set to host comedy shows, concerts, and exclusive events — think floating SNL energy with a downtown edge. Davidson and Jost’s offbeat vision could soon be New York’s most unlikely hotspot.
And while the move might have seemed reckless, it reflects something larger happening in pop culture: the normalization of cannabis and its creative influence. For decades, cannabis users were dismissed as lazy or unrealistic. Yet some of today’s best ideas — from tech startups to entertainment ventures — have emerged from relaxed, imaginative brainstorming sessions.
Pete Davidson’s ferry adventure proves that not every “stoned idea” sinks. Some actually sail — and make money while doing it.
The first Weekend Update of season 51 of “Saturday Night Live” pulled no punches, touching on several pop culture topics such as Diddy’s sentencing, J.K. Rowling‘s endless tweets against trans people and AI actress Tilly Norwood.
“It was reported that major talent agencies in Hollywood are interested in signing a new AI generated actress named Tilly Norwood,” co-anchor Colin Jost said. “The AI generated actress got her start after she had a hotel meeting with AI Harvey Weinstein.”
Later in the segment, “Harry Potter” character Dobby the House Elf (played by Bowen Yang in wild makeup and wearing a plunging sack) was brought on to speak about J.K. Rowling’s Twitter takedown of Emma Watson, as well as the former’s frequent social media posts against trans people.
“Master Rowling has done so much for Dobby, and inclusion in general,” Yang as Dobby said. “Remember when Dumbledore was gay after the books came out? And when Hermione was Black only on Broadway? And when Cho Chang was…hmm, was Cho Chang Asian? Dobby can’t remember if the character named Cho Chang was Asian or not…”
The Weekend Update duo also broke down Diddy’s sentencing this week, with co-anchor Michael Che saying, “Sean Combs was sentenced on Friday to four years in prison, and I’ll be honest, it’s hard for me to enjoy watching someone I love get punished. But that’s what Diddy would do!”
“During Sean Combs’ sentencing, he pleaded for mercy, saying the things he did were disgusting, shameful and sick,” Che continued. “In fact, just thinking about it makes him harder than grandma’s candy!”
We’ve come to the end of the road on season 49 of Saturday Night Live.
Over the weekend, Taylor Swift‘s ex Jake Gyllenhaal took the Studio 8H stage to close out the 49th season of the sketch comedy show. And nooooo, he totallyyyyyy wasn’t salty that he was only one episode away from hosting the premiere of the 50th anniversary episode! Ha! He said in his opening monologue:
“When you think of historic television seasons, the first number that pops into your head is 49. I mean, sure, one more episode and I would have been hosting the premiere of the 50th season, but who cares? [49] is a great number.”
The Roadhouse star ex continued:
“I know we’re all waiting for season 50, but, you know, you can’t get to 50 without a little bit of 49. And we’re here at the finale, the End of the Road.”
Jake then started singing the lyrics to Boyz II Men’s End of the Road, but with an SNL twist:
“I’ve loved you right from the start, oh season 49 / You know, I was actually SNL’s first choice to host the finale after a lot of people said no / I guess they’re all holding out for the 50th, but not me, not little J-G, I’m the one who said, ‘Yeah’ / They asked Pedro Pascal but he wasn’t around / Zendaya said no ‘cause she’d be out of town / Even asked [Ryan] Gosling to come back again, just hosted three shows ago”
HA!
Kenan Thompson, Ego Nwodim, Punkie Johnson, and Devon Walker then joined him on stage and sang in unison:
“Although we’ve come to the end of the road / It’s the last episode / Time to say goodbye / Season 49 / You’ll be 50 soon”
40 years and over 900 episodes! DAMN! Also, Jake has a set of lungs on him!! Watch the musical monologue (below):
And Jake wasn’t the only Taylor-related guest on Saturday’s show… Her bestie and Eras Tour opener Sabrina Carpenter was also in the Big Apple to serenade the audience for the season’s finale! First up, she sang her chart-topping single Espresso, and absolutely CRUSHED it! Watch (below):
Sabrina typically concludes Nonsense with an ad-lib relating to whatever city she’s in. This time, she sang:
“This song catchier than chicken pox is / I bet your house is where my other sock is / Woke up this morning, thought I’d write a pop hit / How quickly can you take your clothes off, pop quiz / He is 30 Rock hard ‘cause I said hi / My sense of humor is but I am not dry / SNL I just came for the first time”
She always kills it! However, we wouldn’t have been mad if she’d added a little riff in there about Jake and Taylor! That would have been the perfect opportunity! And we know Swifties would have gotten a kick out of it!
Sabrina also stuck around for a gruesome Scooby-Doo skit, where she played Daphne alongside Jake’s Fred. Watch (below):
Oof!!
Later on in the show, the Weekend Update guys Colin Jost and Michael Che hit each other with some absolutely SAVAGE jokes — with one even about Colin’s wife Scarlett Johansson! Watch (below):
See the rest of this week’s highlights (below):
Well, that’s a wrap on season 49! What’d YOU think?? SNL will return this fall with season 50!
If there’s one thing we know about Vice President Kamala Harris is that she loves to laugh. So it’s tough to imagine a better night for the chuckling veep than the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Colin Jost headlined with pretty tame jokes about Donald Trump’s trial, President Biden’s age, and his wife Scarlett Johansson. He kicked off his set by thanking the dais, including the Vice President and “Doug,” adding, “Doug, as you can tell from all the comments about my wife, I’m also used to being the Second Gentleman.” He circled back to the ScarJo elephant in the room at the end of his remarks, saying, “I want to thank my wife for agreeing to individually meet everybody in this room right after the ceremony. Don’t be shy, come right up. She hates privacy.”
When it came to politics, Jost narrowed in on the 2024 candidates’ advanced ages, joking, “I’m not saying both candidates are old, but you know Jimmy Carter is out there thinking, ‘I can maybe win this thing.’” He also joked that while it might not be a great time to be a print journalist, it’s a phenomenal time to be a courtroom sketch artist in light of Trump’s trial. “Every sketch of Trump looks like the Grinch had sex with the Lorax,” he said. Another target included Lara Trump, who was in attendance fresh off the release of her Tom Petty cover, about which Jost said, “Upon hearing it, Tom Petty died again.” He also joked that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would be our third Catholic president, before adding, “I’m kidding, like his vaccine card says, he doesn’t have a shot.” There were a few cutaways to the Vice President throughout the evening, doing what she does best, laughing up a storm.
An election-year roast of President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner Saturday butted up against growing public discord over the Israel-Hamas war, with protests outside the event condemning both Biden’s handling of the conflict and the Western news’ media coverage of it. In previous years, Biden, like most of his predecessors, has used the glitzy annual White House Correspondents’ Association gala to needle media coverage of his administration and jab at political rivals, notably Republican rival Donald Trump. With hundreds of protesters rallying against the war in Gaza outside the event and concerns over the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the perils for journalists covering the conflict, the war hung over this year’s event. “Shame on you!” protesters draped in the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh cloth shouted, running after men in tuxedos and suits and women in long dresses who were holding clutch purses as guests hurried inside for the dinner.Chants accused U.S. journalists of undercovering the war and misrepresenting it. “Western media we see you, and all the horrors that you hide,” crowds chanted at one point.Other protesters lay sprawled motionless on the pavement, next to mock-ups of flak vests with “press” insignia.Ralliers cried “Free, free Palestine.” They cheered when at one point someone inside the Washington Hilton — where the dinner has been held for decades — unfurled a Palestinian flag from a top-floor hotel window. Criticism of the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s six-month-old military offensive in Gaza has spread through American college campuses, with students pitching encampments in an effort to force their universities to divest from Israel. Counterprotests back Israel’s offensive and complain of antisemitism. Biden’s motorcade Saturday took an alternate route from the White House to the Washington Hilton than in previous years, largely avoiding the crowds of demonstrators.Biden’s speech before an expected crowd of nearly 3,000 people was being followed by entertainer Colin Jost from “Saturday Night Live.”Kelly O’Donnell, president of the correspondents’ association, opened the event by reminding the audience of the important work that journalists do but noting that the dinner is happening at “a complex moment for our nation,” and in a decisive election year.The night’s remarks also were expected to cast a spotlight on the many journalists detained and otherwise persecuted around the globe for doing their jobs, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned in Russia since March 2023. Law enforcement, including the Secret Service, have instituted extra street closures and other measures to ensure what Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said would be the “highest levels of safety and security for attendees.”The agency was working with Washington police to protect demonstrators’ right to assemble, Guglielmi said. However, “we will remain intolerant to any violent or destructive behavior.” Protest organizers said they wanted to bring attention to the high numbers of Palestinian and other Arab journalists killed by Israel’s military since the war began in October. More than two dozen journalists in Gaza wrote a letter last week calling on their colleagues in Washington to boycott the dinner altogether. “The toll exacted on us for merely fulfilling our journalistic duties is staggering,” the letter states. “We are subjected to detentions, interrogations, and torture by the Israeli military, all for the ‘crime’ of journalistic integrity.”One organizer complained that the White House Correspondents’ Association — which represents the hundreds of journalists who cover the president — largely has been silent since the first weeks of the war about the killings of Palestinian journalists. WHCA did not respond to request for comment. According to a preliminary investigation released Friday by the Committee to Protect Journalists, nearly 100 journalists have been killed covering the war in Gaza. Israel has defended its actions, saying it has been targeting militants. “Since the Israel-Gaza war began, journalists have been paying the highest price— their lives—to defend our right to the truth. Each time a journalist dies or is injured, we lose a fragment of that truth,” CPJ Program Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna said in a statement. Sandra Tamari, executive director of Adalah Justice Project, a U.S.-based Palestinian advocacy group that helped organize the letter from journalists in Gaza, said “it is shameful for the media to dine and laugh with President Biden while he enables the Israeli devastation and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.” In addition, Adalah Justice Project started an email campaign targeting 12 media executives at various news outlets — including The Associated Press — expected to attend the dinner who previously signed onto a letter calling for the protection of journalists in Gaza.”How can you still go when your colleagues in Gaza asked you not to?” a demonstrator asked guests heading in. “You are complicit.”Associated Press writers Mike Balsamo, Aamer Madhani and Fatima Hussein contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON —
An election-year roast of President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner Saturday butted up against growing public discord over the Israel-Hamas war, with protests outside the event condemning both Biden’s handling of the conflict and the Western news’ media coverage of it.
In previous years, Biden, like most of his predecessors, has used the glitzy annual White House Correspondents’ Association gala to needle media coverage of his administration and jab at political rivals, notably Republican rival Donald Trump.
With hundreds of protesters rallying against the war in Gaza outside the event and concerns over the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the perils for journalists covering the conflict, the war hung over this year’s event.
“Shame on you!” protesters draped in the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh cloth shouted, running after men in tuxedos and suits and women in long dresses who were holding clutch purses as guests hurried inside for the dinner.
Chants accused U.S. journalists of undercovering the war and misrepresenting it. “Western media we see you, and all the horrors that you hide,” crowds chanted at one point.
Other protesters lay sprawled motionless on the pavement, next to mock-ups of flak vests with “press” insignia.
Ralliers cried “Free, free Palestine.” They cheered when at one point someone inside the Washington Hilton — where the dinner has been held for decades — unfurled a Palestinian flag from a top-floor hotel window.
Criticism of the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s six-month-old military offensive in Gaza has spread through American college campuses, with students pitching encampments in an effort to force their universities to divest from Israel. Counterprotests back Israel’s offensive and complain of antisemitism.
Biden’s motorcade Saturday took an alternate route from the White House to the Washington Hilton than in previous years, largely avoiding the crowds of demonstrators.
Biden’s speech before an expected crowd of nearly 3,000 people was being followed by entertainer Colin Jost from “Saturday Night Live.”
Kelly O’Donnell, president of the correspondents’ association, opened the event by reminding the audience of the important work that journalists do but noting that the dinner is happening at “a complex moment for our nation,” and in a decisive election year.
The night’s remarks also were expected to cast a spotlight on the many journalists detained and otherwise persecuted around the globe for doing their jobs, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned in Russia since March 2023.
Law enforcement, including the Secret Service, have instituted extra street closures and other measures to ensure what Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said would be the “highest levels of safety and security for attendees.”
The agency was working with Washington police to protect demonstrators’ right to assemble, Guglielmi said. However, “we will remain intolerant to any violent or destructive behavior.”
Protest organizers said they wanted to bring attention to the high numbers of Palestinian and other Arab journalists killed by Israel’s military since the war began in October.
More than two dozen journalists in Gaza wrote a letter last week calling on their colleagues in Washington to boycott the dinner altogether.
“The toll exacted on us for merely fulfilling our journalistic duties is staggering,” the letter states. “We are subjected to detentions, interrogations, and torture by the Israeli military, all for the ‘crime’ of journalistic integrity.”
One organizer complained that the White House Correspondents’ Association — which represents the hundreds of journalists who cover the president — largely has been silent since the first weeks of the war about the killings of Palestinian journalists. WHCA did not respond to request for comment.
According to a preliminary investigation released Friday by the Committee to Protect Journalists, nearly 100 journalists have been killed covering the war in Gaza. Israel has defended its actions, saying it has been targeting militants.
“Since the Israel-Gaza war began, journalists have been paying the highest price— their lives—to defend our right to the truth. Each time a journalist dies or is injured, we lose a fragment of that truth,” CPJ Program Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna said in a statement.
Sandra Tamari, executive director of Adalah Justice Project, a U.S.-based Palestinian advocacy group that helped organize the letter from journalists in Gaza, said “it is shameful for the media to dine and laugh with President Biden while he enables the Israeli devastation and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.”
In addition, Adalah Justice Project started an email campaign targeting 12 media executives at various news outlets — including The Associated Press — expected to attend the dinner who previously signed onto a letter calling for the protection of journalists in Gaza.
“How can you still go when your colleagues in Gaza asked you not to?” a demonstrator asked guests heading in. “You are complicit.”
Associated Press writers Mike Balsamo, Aamer Madhani and Fatima Hussein contributed to this report.
An election-year roast of President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner Saturday butted up against growing public discord over the Israel-Hamas war, with protests outside the event condemning both Biden’s handling of the conflict and the Western news’ media coverage of it. In previous years, Biden, like most of his predecessors, has used the glitzy annual White House Correspondents’ Association gala to needle media coverage of his administration and jab at political rivals, notably Republican rival Donald Trump. With hundreds of protesters rallying against the war in Gaza outside the event and concerns over the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the perils for journalists covering the conflict, the war hung over this year’s event. “Shame on you!” protesters draped in the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh cloth shouted, running after men in tuxedos and suits and women in long dresses who were holding clutch purses as guests hurried inside for the dinner.Chants accused U.S. journalists of undercovering the war and misrepresenting it. “Western media we see you, and all the horrors that you hide,” crowds chanted at one point.Other protesters lay sprawled motionless on the pavement, next to mock-ups of flak vests with “press” insignia.Ralliers cried “Free, free Palestine.” They cheered when at one point someone inside the Washington Hilton — where the dinner has been held for decades — unfurled a Palestinian flag from a top-floor hotel window. Criticism of the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s six-month-old military offensive in Gaza has spread through American college campuses, with students pitching encampments in an effort to force their universities to divest from Israel. Counterprotests back Israel’s offensive and complain of antisemitism. Biden’s motorcade Saturday took an alternate route from the White House to the Washington Hilton than in previous years, largely avoiding the crowds of demonstrators.Biden’s speech before an expected crowd of nearly 3,000 people was being followed by entertainer Colin Jost from “Saturday Night Live.”Kelly O’Donnell, president of the correspondents’ association, opened the event by reminding the audience of the important work that journalists do but noting that the dinner is happening at “a complex moment for our nation,” and in a decisive election year.The night’s remarks also were expected to cast a spotlight on the many journalists detained and otherwise persecuted around the globe for doing their jobs, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned in Russia since March 2023. Law enforcement, including the Secret Service, have instituted extra street closures and other measures to ensure what Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said would be the “highest levels of safety and security for attendees.”The agency was working with Washington police to protect demonstrators’ right to assemble, Guglielmi said. However, “we will remain intolerant to any violent or destructive behavior.” Protest organizers said they wanted to bring attention to the high numbers of Palestinian and other Arab journalists killed by Israel’s military since the war began in October. More than two dozen journalists in Gaza wrote a letter last week calling on their colleagues in Washington to boycott the dinner altogether. “The toll exacted on us for merely fulfilling our journalistic duties is staggering,” the letter states. “We are subjected to detentions, interrogations, and torture by the Israeli military, all for the ‘crime’ of journalistic integrity.”One organizer complained that the White House Correspondents’ Association — which represents the hundreds of journalists who cover the president — largely has been silent since the first weeks of the war about the killings of Palestinian journalists. WHCA did not respond to request for comment. According to a preliminary investigation released Friday by the Committee to Protect Journalists, nearly 100 journalists have been killed covering the war in Gaza. Israel has defended its actions, saying it has been targeting militants. “Since the Israel-Gaza war began, journalists have been paying the highest price— their lives—to defend our right to the truth. Each time a journalist dies or is injured, we lose a fragment of that truth,” CPJ Program Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna said in a statement. Sandra Tamari, executive director of Adalah Justice Project, a U.S.-based Palestinian advocacy group that helped organize the letter from journalists in Gaza, said “it is shameful for the media to dine and laugh with President Biden while he enables the Israeli devastation and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.” In addition, Adalah Justice Project started an email campaign targeting 12 media executives at various news outlets — including The Associated Press — expected to attend the dinner who previously signed onto a letter calling for the protection of journalists in Gaza.”How can you still go when your colleagues in Gaza asked you not to?” a demonstrator asked guests heading in. “You are complicit.”Associated Press writers Mike Balsamo, Aamer Madhani and Fatima Hussein contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON —
An election-year roast of President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner Saturday butted up against growing public discord over the Israel-Hamas war, with protests outside the event condemning both Biden’s handling of the conflict and the Western news’ media coverage of it.
In previous years, Biden, like most of his predecessors, has used the glitzy annual White House Correspondents’ Association gala to needle media coverage of his administration and jab at political rivals, notably Republican rival Donald Trump.
With hundreds of protesters rallying against the war in Gaza outside the event and concerns over the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the perils for journalists covering the conflict, the war hung over this year’s event.
“Shame on you!” protesters draped in the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh cloth shouted, running after men in tuxedos and suits and women in long dresses who were holding clutch purses as guests hurried inside for the dinner.
Chants accused U.S. journalists of undercovering the war and misrepresenting it. “Western media we see you, and all the horrors that you hide,” crowds chanted at one point.
Other protesters lay sprawled motionless on the pavement, next to mock-ups of flak vests with “press” insignia.
Ralliers cried “Free, free Palestine.” They cheered when at one point someone inside the Washington Hilton — where the dinner has been held for decades — unfurled a Palestinian flag from a top-floor hotel window.
Criticism of the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s six-month-old military offensive in Gaza has spread through American college campuses, with students pitching encampments in an effort to force their universities to divest from Israel. Counterprotests back Israel’s offensive and complain of antisemitism.
Biden’s motorcade Saturday took an alternate route from the White House to the Washington Hilton than in previous years, largely avoiding the crowds of demonstrators.
Biden’s speech before an expected crowd of nearly 3,000 people was being followed by entertainer Colin Jost from “Saturday Night Live.”
Kelly O’Donnell, president of the correspondents’ association, opened the event by reminding the audience of the important work that journalists do but noting that the dinner is happening at “a complex moment for our nation,” and in a decisive election year.
The night’s remarks also were expected to cast a spotlight on the many journalists detained and otherwise persecuted around the globe for doing their jobs, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned in Russia since March 2023.
Law enforcement, including the Secret Service, have instituted extra street closures and other measures to ensure what Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said would be the “highest levels of safety and security for attendees.”
The agency was working with Washington police to protect demonstrators’ right to assemble, Guglielmi said. However, “we will remain intolerant to any violent or destructive behavior.”
Protest organizers said they wanted to bring attention to the high numbers of Palestinian and other Arab journalists killed by Israel’s military since the war began in October.
More than two dozen journalists in Gaza wrote a letter last week calling on their colleagues in Washington to boycott the dinner altogether.
“The toll exacted on us for merely fulfilling our journalistic duties is staggering,” the letter states. “We are subjected to detentions, interrogations, and torture by the Israeli military, all for the ‘crime’ of journalistic integrity.”
One organizer complained that the White House Correspondents’ Association — which represents the hundreds of journalists who cover the president — largely has been silent since the first weeks of the war about the killings of Palestinian journalists. WHCA did not respond to request for comment.
According to a preliminary investigation released Friday by the Committee to Protect Journalists, nearly 100 journalists have been killed covering the war in Gaza. Israel has defended its actions, saying it has been targeting militants.
“Since the Israel-Gaza war began, journalists have been paying the highest price— their lives—to defend our right to the truth. Each time a journalist dies or is injured, we lose a fragment of that truth,” CPJ Program Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna said in a statement.
Sandra Tamari, executive director of Adalah Justice Project, a U.S.-based Palestinian advocacy group that helped organize the letter from journalists in Gaza, said “it is shameful for the media to dine and laugh with President Biden while he enables the Israeli devastation and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.”
In addition, Adalah Justice Project started an email campaign targeting 12 media executives at various news outlets — including The Associated Press — expected to attend the dinner who previously signed onto a letter calling for the protection of journalists in Gaza.
“How can you still go when your colleagues in Gaza asked you not to?” a demonstrator asked guests heading in. “You are complicit.”
Associated Press writers Mike Balsamo, Aamer Madhani and Fatima Hussein contributed to this report.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Each year, politicians and pundits get ready to trade their podiums for punchlines at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. With the event airing on a cable network, you may be wondering how to watch the White House Correspondents’ dinner live for free yourself—luckily, we’ve got some helpful options to consider up ahead.
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is an annual event held in Washington, D.C., typically attended by journalists, politicians, celebrities, and other prominent figures. Otherwise known as “Nerd Prom,” the event is organized by the White House Correspondents’ Association, a group of journalists who cover the White House and the President of the United States.
Dating back to 1921, the dinner has evolved from from a small gathering of correspondents and officials into a major social event, serving as an opportunity for journalists, politicians, and celebrities to come together in a less formal setting. In recent years, the dinner has often included a charitable component, with proceeds from ticket sales or auctions going to support journalism scholarships or other causes related to media education and freedom of the press.
Tamara Keith, White House correspondent for NPR, told Deadline in 2023 that the event has “proven to be a very important gathering for Washington.” She went on to explain, “It is our biggest and primary way of raising money both for the scholarship and the work that the WHCA does on a daily, hourly basis to improve the ability of journalists to do their jobs. And also, it is a celebration of the First Amendment, and all of those people in that room are tacitly endorsing the need for journalists to ask tough questions.”
The President and First Lady are often in attendance at the dinner. Beginning with Calvin Coolidge in 1924, every president has attended at least one WHCA dinner during their presidency except for Donald Trump. Traditionally, the event sees the POTUS deliver some remarks poking fun at themselves, the media, and other current events. The event also typically features a comedic roast of the president and other political figures. In recent years, the dinner has garnered significant media attention for its high-profile attendees and speakers, with comedians such as Keegan-Michael Key, Jimmel Kimmel, and Trevor Noah serving as hosts in the past.
This year’s White House Correspondents’ dinner promises another night full of laughter and camaraderie—and like years past, the event will be airing live straight from the Washington Hilton hotel. Luckily, you won’t even need a cable subscription if you want to stream the event. So, if you’re trying to find out how to watch the White House Correspondents’ dinner live for free, keep on reading ahead for our tips.
Image: Getty Images.
When is the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?
The 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner takes place on Saturday, April 27. The event will air live on C-SPAN beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET.
How to watch the White House Correspondents’ Dinner live for free
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner will be aired nationally on C-SPAN, which is available to stream on DirecTV Stream. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial, starting at $79.99 per month after the trial ends. Read on ahead to find out how to watch the White House Correspondents’ Dinner live for free using DirecTV Stream.
Watch the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with Direct TV Stream’s Free Trial
As for other differences between the plans, Entertainment includes more than 75 channels, the ability to stream on unlimited devices in your home, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and a special offer on premium channels. Choice, which is the most popular plan, includes more than 105 channels, regional sports networks, and everything included in Entertainment. Ultimate includes more than 140 channels and everything included in Entertainment and Choice. Premiere includes more than 150 channels including premium channels like HBO and Starz and everything included in Entertainment, Choice, and Premiere. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the White House Correspondents’ Dinner live for free with DirecTV Stream’s free trial.
Search for C-SPAN and start watching the White House Correspondents’ Dinner!
Image: Getty Images.
Where does the White House Correspondents’ Dinner take place?
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner traditionally takes place in the nation’s capitol of Washington, D.C. Like years past, this year’s dinner venue is at the Washington Hilton hotel, which has become closely associated with the event throughout the years.
Who is hosting the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner?
This year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner host will be Colin Jost, known for his comedic chops as the co-anchor of the “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live. Jost follows in the footsteps of other SNL alumni who have hosted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, including Seth Meyers and Cecily Strong. Like his predecessors, Jost is expected to bring his unique brand of humor to the event, offering an entertaining take on the state of politics and media in the United States.
“Colin Jost knows how to make Saturday nights funny, and I am thrilled Colin will be live from the nation’s capital as the headline entertainer for this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” Kelly O’Donnell, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association and NBC News Senior White House Correspondent, said in a statement.
“His sharp insights perfectly meet this remarkable time of divided politics, and a presidential campaign careening toward a rematch,” her statement continued. “His smart brand of comedy and keen observation will turn up the heat on the national news media and across the political spectrum. A night of laughs and reflections as our dinner honors freedom of the press as a cornerstone of American democracy.”
Who is attending the 2024 White House Correspondents’ dinner?
While details about the 2024 guest list for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner have yet to be released, past attendees have included a diverse array of political figures, celebrities, and media personalities. Tickets to the event are sold only to member news organizations, meaning guests attend on behalf of their respective news organizations.
ABC News invitees have included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and Congressman Michael McCaul, alongside actors like Liev Schreiber. CBS News previously brought on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Chris Wray, and Senators Mark Warner and Nancy Mace as guests to the event, alongside Hollywood stars like Rosario Dawson and BD Wong. NBC News has seen the likes of Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, UN ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield, and John Legend and Chrissy Teigen among their guests. Meanwhile, NPR has contributed to the event by inviting Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, ensuring a blend of political, cultural, and journalistic perspectives at the dinner.
The White House Correspondents’ dinner airs on Saturday, April 27, at 8:00 p.m. ET on C-SPAN.
Jost brought up the lawsuit that the stars of 1968’s Romeo and Juliet brought upon Paramount Pictures to prevent the digital release of the film containing explicit images of them while they were teenagers.
“Paramount has agreed to lock it away where no one will ever see it — Paramount+,” Jost quipped.
The duo opened the weekly segment by taking jabs at Trump by acknowledging the Republican presidential candidate won the South Carolina primary, “which means that Trump is now undefeated, everywhere except court.”
Jost then played a clip of Trump showcasing “a more moderate [and] unifying tone” to take on the general election.
“November 5th will be our new liberation day, but for the liars and cheaters and fraudsters and censors and imposters … it will be their Judgment Day,” Trump said.
Jost questioned where he had heard that speech before and said it was Bane from The Dark Knight Rises.
Che went onto Nikki Haley and said that the Republican presidential hopeful said she was not staying in the race to be Trump’s running mate as she had “no need to kiss the ring.” The comedian then joked, “While Tim Scott said he’ll suck the ring right off Trump’s finger.”
Here’s the bit:
In addition, Che joked about the golden sneakers Trump is selling, joking that people “can check them out on the feet of the guy getting dragged off your flight.”
Trump’s shoes were referenced in an earlier skit about their magical power to improve the lives of those who wear them. Check it out here.
Weekend Update took down MAGA conspiracies and worked in a strong joke about Donald Trump looking happy dancing with Jeffrey Epstein.
Colin Jost said:
MAGA people have so many enemies to keep track of. You have to hate the NFL, Taylor Swift, Bud Light, Disney, Kristen Stewart for some reason, electric stoves, windmills, the concept of rainbows, and the green M&M.
And you have to think that everybody in the government is a secret pedophile except for this guy dancing with Jeffrey Epstein. I mean, isn’t that the happiest you’ve ever seen, Trump? He’s dancing like nobody’s checking IDs.
Jost had another really good joke on how Fox News covered Biden’s economy, “U.S. oil production hit an all-time high this week, and the economy added a surprisingly robust 350 000 jobs. Or, as Fox News reported it, are migrants turning your kids trans?”
As the American people well know, Trump watches and complains about how he is treated by SNL constantly. Plus, Trump has the sense of humor of someone who just stepped on a rusty nail, so he doesn’t do comedy, and he is incapable of poking fun at himself.
The Jeffrey Epstein friendship is not going to fade from the minds of the American people, and the bias of Fox News has become a running joke.
It is a comedy, but Weekend Update highlights both the insanity and the danger of Trump.
A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here.
We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
Bad Bunny showed the world he has no flaws on Saturday Night Live… literally!
The Puerto Rican rapper took on double duty as both the host AND musical guest for the sketch comedy show on Saturday night — and absolutely rocked the house! BB, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, opened with a nearly five-minute monologue where he shot down skeptics who thought he couldn’t host because English isn’t his “first language,” but had a confident message:
“I don’t know if they know, but I do whatever I want.”
“I can host this show in English, I can order McDonald’s in English, I can have sex in English, but I prefer sex in Spanish because it’s just better. I just prefer Spanish.”
Okayyy, Benito!
From there, the 29-year-old continued his monologue in his native language, eventually bringing out his “friend” to help “translate” — Pedro Pascal!! The Last of Us actor, who hosted the coveted show last season, then gave BB a bit of “advice” on his monologue, telling him “self-deprecating” jokes — where one points out “unflattering” parts of themselves — always work… but the Where She Goes rapper confidently pointed out:
“I don’t have any.”
He then showed an “embarrassing photo” of himself — completely naked with nothing but a towel covering his manhood. Watch his full monologue (below):
Woof!
We then got to see the dreamy rapper flex his acting skills in a few hilarious sketches, including one where rock legend Mick Jagger slapped him in a mock-telenovela, and another where the 80-year-old played a nun-in-disguise. Watch (below):
But the cameos didn’t stop there! To introduce the rapper for his first musical performance of the night, none other than Lady GaGa took the stage to flex her own Spanish skills! See (below):
Elsewhere in the ep, Colin Jost and Michael Che gave us the Weekend Update, which featured jokes about House Republicans dropping Jim Jordan as nominee for Speaker of the House, Joe Biden in Israel, Donald Trump’s gag order, and, of course, Britney Spears’ forthcoming memoir, The Woman in Me.
Ego Nwodim appeared as Jada PinkettSmith amid The Matrix star’s promo for her own memoir, Worthy, joking that she and Will Smith cracked the code on a “successful marriage.” She joked:
“23 years later, Will and I are still a unit. And it’s because we have learned that the secret to a successful marriage is: Never go to bed happy.”
Oof… we have to laugh, LOLz!
See the rest of the hilarious and entertaining clips (below):
Sadly no Kendall Jenner cameo, though… Maybe going Instagram official was enough for the lovebirds! Thoughts, Perezcious readers?? Did Bad Bunny pull off hosting AND performing? Let us know in the comments!
Jost, on the latest episode of “Saturday Night Live,” pointed to Trump’s remarks before comparing the former president to a child being grounded.
“Then he added ‘She’s like literally killing me.’ Then he yelled ‘You’re not even my real mom’ and slammed his bedroom door,” Jost quipped.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued the narrow gag order in response to attacks Trump aimed at those involved in the criminal case, warning that the remarks could pose a “grave threat” to the judicial process. Trump’s lawyers swiftly appealed the gag order before it was temporarily lifted on Friday.
“Because if there’s one guy whose trial famously ended well, it’s Jesus,” Jost said.
You can explore more from the latest edition of “Weekend Update” in the clips below.
Everyone has had a questionable online shopping moment: It’s late at night, you’re having fun with your friends, things go a little too far, and before you know if you’re calling up Cameron Crowe to see if he’s ever considered following up We Bought a Zoo with a sequel called We Bought a Decommissioned Staten Island Ferry Boat and Oh My God Now What?
Pete Davidson has (kind of) explained the purchase he and Colin Jost made with comedy club owner Paul Italia by saying that “we were very stoned” when they bought the allegedly roach-and-asbestos-infested boat for $280,100 back in January 2022.
Speak for yourself, Jost recently added, with what we imagine was the deepest of sighs.
“Is it worse that I was actually stone-cold sober when we bought the ferry?” he asked in an Instagram post on Wednesday that featured a headline referencing Davidson’s explanation.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Honestly, the vibe is that in his heart of hearts, he knows the answer to the question. Colin, do you need a hug? A nice glass of cold seltzer and a quiet place to sit for a few minutes?
While Davidson seems to be actively praying for someone to sink the behemoth boat he and Jost bought and then christened Titanic 2, Jost, in his caption, said, “We’re excited to prove the non-believers wrong. You’re going to be BEGGING to get on this ferry in two years. Mark my words.” In the past, the pals, who worked together on Saturday Night Live, have mentioned plans to turn the ferry into a floating comedy venue. They have also mentioned that this would be very expensive, to say the least.
So it makes sense that Jost’s third item on the Instagram caption agenda reads, “UNRELATED I’m going on a Ferry Money Tour this week and next week.” He helpfully designed a poster for the mini-tour, featuring the bright-orange boat in the same carousel, then later shared a more tasteful fan-made poster for the shows. Graphic design does appear to be his passion. Sorry, comedy, and big ups to “izzy whoever you are.”
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Since our last coverage of the only ship more delightful than friendship, where Davidson admitted he had no idea where the ferry was currently moored, multiple Staten Island locals have reached out to offer boat intel, telling us that it is at a boat repair place along the island’s Kill Van Kull, and it has not yet sunk. A big thank you to our ferry godparents: Pete may not know where his boat is, but now we do.
“We laugh a lot and we always, you know, we communicate with one another and check in,” the actor explained during an appearance on “CBS Mornings” on Monday. “I’m married to a writer, he’s a comedy writer [and] he can get very in his head sometimes.”
“He’s sort of introverted ― I’m extroverted, obviously ― and so I think the key for us is just always checking in,” Johansson said, adding that the two make time to ask about each other’s days.
The “Black Widow” star and the “SNL” writer tied the knot in 2020. Before Jost, Johansson was married to fellow actor Ryan Reynolds and to French journalist Romain Dauriac.
Johansson previously said that before marrying Jost, she “didn’t know not only what I wanted, but what I needed from somebody else.”
“There are certain fundamental things in your own personality I needed to share with the other person,” the actor said during an interview with Gwyneth Paltrow for her Goop podcast earlier this year.
“I never realized, oh, it’s really important for me — like, I need to be with a compassionate person,” the “Marriage Story” actor said at the time. “That’s like a fundamental characteristic that has to be there.”
Bowen Yang pulled off another one of his surreal, peering-into-the soul characterizations of a fantasy (or nightmare) creature as he stared down the abomination of Krampus on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend.
Krampus is a demon in European Alpine folklore who rises from hell to scare, beat and even eat bad children at Christmas.
He’s just not feeling it this year, Yang’s Krampus told Colin Jost on “Weekend Update.”
“What am I doing? I just turned 936. These should be the best years of my life,” he said. “Then I think about my dad at my age, and he was already one of the original gays at Sodom and he was married!”
“Brené Brown has this great quote about shame,” Yang’s character said. “She says that it’s the feeling that people are saying hurtful things about you when you leave the room. And I was like, ‘Wow.’ That really resonated with me.”
He complained about people in Bavaria dressing up like Krampus. “Think about what you’re doing for five seconds,” he complained. “You’re making fun of my body, you’re making fun of my livelihood, and, I’m sorry, my culture is not your costume.”
He admitted, “What I do for work isn’t great. But it’s like my therapist always says, ‘Krampus, your job is to punish children, not yourself.’” (His therapist is Ghislaine Maxwell, who “commutes” to the underworld.)
