Scarlett Johansson Tranquilizes Colin Jost in Hilarious SNL Kiss Promo
Another day, another cringe-worthy SNL promo featuring Colin Jost desperately trying to make his actual wife Scarlett Johansson seem relatable on live TV. In this latest teaser for Saturday Night Live’s October 7 episode, the Weekend Update anchor suggests that he and his Hollywood superstar spouse share an on-air kiss—only to end up with a tranquilizer dart lodged in his neck. If you’re looking for proof that late-night promos have officially run out of fresh ideas, here it is.
The clip opens with Johansson strolling through a leafy park, SNL logo beeping in the corner. Jost ambles up, casual as ever, and in his trademark dad-joke tone murmurs, “So, we only have five seconds—want to reenact our first date with a kiss?” Cue Johansson’s eye roll. Before he can lean in, she whips out what looks suspiciously like a toy dart gun and nails him square on the jugular. Jost staggers as if he’s just hit with a tranquilizer; Johannsson quips, “Sorry, sweetheart—rules of engagement,” then saunters off camera.
This promo isn’t just a random bit—it’s a thinly veiled marketing ploy. SNL’s publicist clearly figured that pairing a Big Screen A-lister with her real-life spouse would goose eyeballs. But instead of genuine chemistry, we get staged awkwardness and forced banter about timing, “network standards,” and “consent”—all while Johansson clutches her toy weapon like she’s auditioning for a James Bond villainess.
According to People Magazine and Dotdash Meredith’s RSS feed, the idea was to drum up buzz around Johansson’s hosting gig and Jost’s sidekick duties. Yet, the result feels more like an extended outtake from a sitcom writers’ room running on empty. The dialogue even hits every cliché: “no one wants to see the real us,” “we don’t have time for PDA,” and the obligatory SNL Time/Channel plug. You can almost hear the network memo screaming: “Remember, keep it under 30 seconds and hashtag #MustSeeTV.”
Don’t get me wrong—Johansson’s charisma still shines through the awkward staging, and Jost earns brownie points for playing along. But presenting marital banter as edgy late-night fodder? That ship sailed years ago. This feels like another recycled attempt to manufacture intimacy between two people whose real relationship probably isn’t defined by dart-fueled slapstick.
So there you have it—yet another SNL promo serving up forced laughs and marketing clichés, with a side of tranquilizer darts. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Dotdash Meredith
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
