Colin Jost Wins Praise for Humorous Take on Scarlett Johansson Losing Top Box Office Title
NEW YORK, N.Y. — When Scarlett Johansson was recently dethroned as Hollywood’s highest-grossing actor by Zoe Saldaña, it was not just fans who took notice. Her husband, comedian Colin Jost, responded with his signature blend of humor and humility during the January 17 episode of Saturday Night Live. On the Weekend Update segment, Jost acknowledged Saldaña’s new record with a playful jab at his own modest box office contributions, demonstrating a refreshing perspective on success within a high-profile Hollywood marriage.
Jost’s joke came as a bar graph displayed on-screen compared the box office earnings of Saldaña and Johansson. He quipped, “OK, well let’s see what happens if you include the box office from Scarlett’s husband’s movies,” prompting the graph to humorously dip from $15.4 billion to $15.1 billion. His laughter and surprise at the drop endeared him to viewers, illustrating his ability to not take himself too seriously in the shadow of his wife’s monumental achievements.
This was not the first time Jost’s reaction to Johansson’s success captured public admiration. Last summer, when Johansson was first crowned the highest-grossing actor, Jost went viral for his “green flag” energy — a term used to describe positive relationship behaviors — as he joked about their combined box office power. “She’s probably doing a little bit more of that lifting, but combined, you know what I mean? That could be a huge record, too,” he said, highlighting both pride and humor.
Fans and commentators have praised Jost for his ability to embrace his wife’s accomplishments without feeling emasculated, a stance that contrasts with some traditional expectations of masculinity. On social media platforms like Reddit, users applauded his self-deprecating humor as a “great sense of humor” and a “good human bean,” emphasizing how rare and refreshing it is to see male celebrities openly support their spouses’ success.
One Reddit user noted, “I like that he can make fun of himself for being less successful than his wife instead of feeling emasculated by it. It’s so gross when men can’t handle being less successful.” Another remarked, “It’s the only way to be when you’re married to women like Scarlett Johansson and Zoe Saldaña. Any man who can’t have this attitude could never get nor keep a woman like these two.”
Jost’s playful humility extends beyond his marriage. He has appeared in several number-one movies himself, including Tom & Jerry, Coming 2 America, and How to Be Single, which he referenced with a wink during his earlier remarks. His approach underscores a broader cultural shift toward celebrating partnership and mutual success rather than competition.
Scarlett Johansson’s rise to the top of Hollywood’s box office charts was a landmark moment, as documented by industry analysts and entertainment news outlets. However, the recent surpassing of her record by Zoe Saldaña, known for her roles in the Avatar franchise, signals a dynamic and evolving landscape for female actors in the film industry. The Box Office Mojo database tracks these milestones, highlighting the growing commercial impact of women in Hollywood.
Colin Jost’s lighthearted response to these developments offers a model for how public figures can navigate fame and success with grace and humor. His ability to support his wife’s achievements while maintaining his own comedic identity has resonated widely, reflecting changing attitudes about gender roles and success in the entertainment world.
For those interested in viewing Jost’s Weekend Update segment, the Saturday Night Live official site provides clips and full episodes. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and USA.gov offer resources on media literacy and public communication, underscoring the importance of understanding how media personalities shape cultural conversations.
As Hollywood continues to evolve, Colin Jost’s good-natured humor and supportive stance toward Scarlett Johansson’s career achievements serve as a reminder that success is often best celebrated together.
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