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Colin Jost faces backlash over Michael Jackson biopic joke on SNL
The comment was made during the show’s Weekend Update segment
Colin Jost is facing backlash after making a joke about a recent Michael Jackson biopic during Saturday Night Live, prompting criticism from viewers who called the remark disrespectful to the late music icon.
During the Weekend Update segment of Saturday Night Live, Jost referenced the film’s reported box office performance, noting its strong opening weekend and joking about its ranking among other major releases involving the “King of Pop.”
The biopic, which stars Jaafar Jackson portraying his late uncle, has drawn significant attention since its release, reportedly earning over $100 million globally in its opening weekend.
Jost said the film made approximately “$97 million in its opening weekend,” before adding a punchline that sparked controversy: “It didn’t even crack the top 10 grossest weekends involving Michael Jackson.”
The joke quickly spread online, where it triggered divided reactions across social media.
Some viewers accused the show of being disrespectful toward the late singer, while others argued the comment was typical of SNL’s satirical tone.
“No artist, living or dead, is as publicly disrespected as Michael Jackson,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, while another commented, “SNL irritates me BADDD.”
A third user criticized the writing, calling it an “easy joke” and suggesting the show should aim for more creative material.
Despite the backlash, the biopic has also revived public interest in Michael Jackson’s legacy, with younger audiences reportedly streaming his music in large numbers following the film’s release.
According to early streaming data, Jackson’s catalog has seen a surge of nearly 116%, with several of his tracks climbing global charts years after his passing.
