Michael Che celebrated Colin Jost's 44th birthday on Monday with a brutal Instagram post that plays on their long-running joke swap tradition on "Weekend Update." The post, filled with fake accusations and photos as "receipts," has delighted fans familiar with the duo's comedic dynamic.
Che's Birthday Message
Che began the post with: "Happy bday to my good buddy, colin jessica jost." He then listed supposed incidents from their years working together, mixing truth with absurdity. "I think back to all the stupid fights we had thru the years.. like when you came to work with that racist puppet.. or when kept doing nazi salutes to our fans on tour.. or when you got our first magazine cover cancelled cause i was 'making stupid faces'," Che wrote.
He continued: "Or when you INSISTED on getting RKelly on the show.. or when you took me to that 'whites only store' ..or when you got us beatup at wrestlemania.. or all the times i had to stand there and listen to you and scarlett argue at work and i just had stand there like, 'ohhh kayyy.'" The post included a photo of Jost holding a Black puppet backstage at SNL, a shot of the two performing with Jost's arm outstretched, and a picture of them in a convertible outside "Whites Drug & Department Store."
More Jabs and a Fond Conclusion
Che added: "Or when harry styles gave us flowers and you gaslit me cause said 'i dont think he likes me', and you got all mad like 'HE GOT US THE EXACT SAME THING!! YOURE JUST BEING REVERSE RACIST AGAIN!!'.. or that time when the fbi thought we were dating.."
Despite the jabs, Che concluded: "None of that shit matters today. Cause we're still pals. and still the BEST update anchors, besides norm, tina, amy, jimmy, seth, chevy, jane, aykroyd, miller, nealon, and quinn.. and ill argue that with ANYBODY." The carousel ended with a video shot by Che, where he says, "Hey Colin … Colin. Fuck you, man," and Jost stares blankly at the camera.
Context of the Joke Swap Tradition
For years, Jost and Che have performed a joke swap bit on "Weekend Update," where each writes offensive jokes for the other to read cold. Che often gives Jost racially charged lines, making Jost appear intolerant. In 2024, Che wrote a sexist monologue for Jost about his wife, Scarlett Johansson, comparing her nether regions to roast beef. Johansson retaliated in 2025 by appearing on "Weekend Update" to force Che to apologize—an apology Jost wrote.
Fans appreciate the aggressive humor, understanding it as part of the pair's comedic chemistry. The birthday post is the latest example of their ongoing on-screen and off-screen banter.
