Colin Jost shines in cut-for-time ‘SNL’ sketch ‘Epstein-Barr’

This past weekend’s episode of SNL hosted by Alexander Skarsgård was great. But it could’ve been even greater. The show posted “Epstein-Barr” online on Tuesday, revealing a cut-for-time sketch that featured Weekend Update anchor Colin Jost in an actual sketch.

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Jost has popped up in a few cold opens during Season 51, gleefully and bombastically playing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. But “Epstein-Barr” would’ve given us Jost playing an original character in a non-Update setting.

This sketch feels like Jost had an idea for an Update character, but when you’re one of the long-running anchors of Update, you’re kind of stuck. (This is one of the reasons why Cecily Strong stepped down from being an Update anchor.) Hall-of-fame SNL wordplay in this sketch. I’m happy they put it online.

Check out the complete list of SNL Season 51 hosts, musical guests and reviews.

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Issue No. 42

The Cold Open is written and produced by Bill Kuchman.
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