During Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special, comedian Colin Jost followed up on his earlier Diddy remarks with more references, after his initial comment during the ‘Weekend Update’ segment got a mixed reception.
Jost, alongside co-host Michael Che, presented the Weekend Update during the anniversary event this past weekend (February 16). Jost expressed the opportunity as an ‘honor and a thrill’ as they began the segment.
Without delay, Jost tapped into the comedic atmosphere by saying, “It is incredible that SNL is still going after all this time, and I am just talking about tonight’s show.”
The celebration drew an impressive lineup of cast members and audience, featuring celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Pete Davidson, Tina Fey, and Chris Rock. Jost humorously noted the event’s turnout by mentioning that some celebrities had to watch the show from a different studio.
Jost explained that some attendees were sent to ‘Studio 8G next door’ and then referenced Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who is currently held in New York following his September 2024 arrest on charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering.
Jost joked: “There are so many famous hosts and musical guests here tonight that some huge names… have to watch from Studio 8G next door as well as from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.”
The joke was illustrated with a picture of Diddy, but it didn’t get the same immediate laughter as Jost’s earlier quips.
Instead, it received a mix of chuckles and ‘oohs’ from the audience, acknowledging the serious nature of the allegations, leading Jost to make a remark about the high-profile guests.
Glancing around, he commented, “Oh, you went to the parties, OK.”
This follow-up comment was met with relative silence before Che took charge to focus on SNL’s accolades over the years.
Jost’s mention of ‘the parties’ tied back to allegations against Diddy regarding the ‘freak off’ events he allegedly hosted prior to his arrest.
Diddy has denied all allegations made against him.
While Jost’s comments had mixed reactions from the live audience, they were better received by viewers at home; one viewer hailed his sharp retort as ‘gold’.
“Colin Jost’s response to less laughs ‘oh you went to his parties’ [laughing face]. Gold #SNL50,” remarked a viewer on Twitter.
Additionally, in the segment, former SNL host Bill Murray made an appearance to list the top 10 Weekend Update hosts ever—a list that notably excluded Jost.