Colin Jost and Michael Che performed their annual "joke swap" segment during the Saturday Night Live season finale [1].

The tradition serves as a comedic climax for the Weekend Update anchors, who spend the segment reading personal attacks written by their counterpart to embarrass one another for the audience [2].

Reports on the specific season number for this finale vary between sources. Some reports identify the event as part of the Season 51 finale [1], while others list it as the Season 50 finale [2]. The segment aired during the 2024 season finale [3, 4].

During the exchange, the jokes targeted the personal lives and professional reputations of the hosts. In one specific instance, Jost said, "Retire Bitch" [2]. The segment is a long-standing fixture of the show's closing episodes, designed to test the rapport and patience of the two anchors.

While the specific season numbering remains contradictory in reporting, the core of the segment remained consistent with previous years. The anchors used the platform to air grievances and absurdities about their partner's personality. This ritual often involves references to the show's producers, and other cast members to heighten the comedic tension.

Because the joke swap is written by the opposing host, the humor relies on the perceived authenticity of the insults. The 2024 appearance continued this trend of high-tension comedy that has defined the Jost and Che era of Weekend Update [3].

“"Retire Bitch"”

The joke swap has evolved from a simple sketch into a predictable seasonal event that anchors the finale of Saturday Night Live. By leaning into the genuine friction or friendship between Jost and Che, the show creates a meta-narrative that extends beyond the political satire of Weekend Update, humanizing the anchors through choreographed public embarrassment.