Introduction
Last Saturday, nestled between political jabs and celebrity impersonations on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update,” Colin Jost delivered yet another iteration of what has become a recurring gag: the “Colin Jost Ferry Joke.” The joke, often met with a mix of groans and chuckles, centers around the Staten Island Ferry, a free commuter service connecting Staten Island to Manhattan. But why does this seemingly simple, and often self-deprecating, bit continue to appear week after week? Is it a genuine comedic goldmine, or has it simply become an ingrained part of the Weekend Update formula?
The Colin Jost Ferry Joke, in its essence, is Jost’s consistent commitment to pulling humor from the mundane. It’s a recurring segment where he uses the Staten Island Ferry, a free and rather unglamorous service, as a punchline, often at the expense of his own perceived image or the borough’s reputation. This article aims to explore why this seemingly simple bit resonates, its evolution (or lack thereof), and whether the joke is sailing smoothly or slowly running aground. Despite its simplicity and repetitive nature, Colin Jost’s Ferry Joke remains a consistently interesting segment of Weekend Update due to its self-deprecation, his unique delivery, and the relatable, evolving nature of the punchlines.
History and Context
The Birth of a Routine
Pinpointing the exact moment the Colin Jost Ferry Joke solidified its place in Weekend Update lore is difficult. It wasn’t a sudden burst of inspiration but rather a gradual integration of observations and comedic jabs that evolved into a recognizable bit. Early iterations likely focused on the ferry’s free service or its working-class reputation, providing fertile ground for self-deprecating humor and commentary on the perceived differences between Manhattan and Staten Island. Interviews and articles about Colin Jost’s life and career suggest that the joke grew organically from his own experiences and observations, rather than being a pre-planned comedic strategy.
Jost’s Staten Island Roots
The key to understanding the Colin Jost Ferry Joke lies in understanding Jost’s connection to Staten Island. He grew up on the island, and this background informs much of his comedic perspective. The jokes aren’t delivered with malicious intent but rather with a sense of affection and a willingness to poke fun at his own roots. He acknowledges the stereotype of Staten Island as the overlooked borough, the “forgotten borough” as it is frequently called, and uses this stereotype as a springboard for humor. The fact that Jost made it from Staten Island to the bright lights of Saturday Night Live is, in itself, a source of comedic tension that he deftly exploits. His journey from a relatively ordinary background to the pinnacle of comedic performance gives him the right to poke fun at himself and the place he came from.
A Brief Ferry Primer
For those unfamiliar with the New York City area, the Staten Island Ferry is a free passenger ferry that runs between St. George on Staten Island and Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan. It’s a workhorse, carrying tens of thousands of commuters daily. While offering stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, it’s primarily a functional mode of transportation, not a tourist attraction. This everyday, almost unremarkable, nature of the ferry is precisely what makes it such an effective comedic target. It is not a source of glamour or wealth, but simply a means to an end. Its ordinariness stands in stark contrast to the glitz and glamour often associated with celebrity culture.
Weekend Update’s Place
Weekend Update serves as a satirical news program within Saturday Night Live, commenting on current events and pop culture with a comedic slant. It relies heavily on the anchors’ chemistry and their ability to deliver jokes with impeccable timing. The Colin Jost Ferry Joke fits neatly into this framework as a recurring segment that provides a familiar touchstone amidst the ever-changing news cycle. It is not dependent on the wider narratives of SNL, but stands alone as a self-contained joke. Furthermore, Jost’s persona as a writer and native New Yorker is integral to its success.
Analysis of the Humor
Deconstructing the Colin Jost Ferry Joke
The humor within the Colin Jost Ferry Joke can be broken down into several distinct categories. Self-deprecation is a prominent element. Jost often makes jokes about the supposed low status of Staten Island or his own perceived “privileged” background, juxtaposing it with the more down-to-earth reality of the ferry. Observational humor also plays a key role, highlighting the mundane aspects of the ferry ride, such as the predictable routine of boarding and disembarking, or the unique characters one might encounter. Topical jokes connect the ferry to current events, injecting relevance and surprise into the familiar bit. For instance, if there’s a news story about transportation infrastructure, Jost might cleverly tie it back to the ferry in some absurd way. Some of the jokes simply take things a little further than they ought to and are reliant on outlandish exaggeration.
Consider, for instance, the joke where Jost quipped that the Staten Island Ferry was considering replacing its engines with hamsters on wheels, a move that would significantly increase commute times but drastically lower greenhouse gas emissions. Or the joke where he joked that the Staten Island Ferry was now offering luxury cruises to avoid the island. Or the joke where he announced that the newest ferry route was to move Staten Island closer to Manhattan. These examples illustrate the combination of topical awareness and absurdity that characterizes the Colin Jost Ferry Joke.
Jost’s delivery is crucial to the joke’s success. His deadpan, understated delivery, often contrasted with Michael Che’s more boisterous reactions, amplifies the humor. The straight-faced presentation of absurd scenarios heightens the comedic effect, making the audience question whether he’s serious or just delivering a particularly dry punchline. His chemistry with Michael Che is critical to the segment’s impact, and his ability to maintain a deadpan face is essential to landing the Colin Jost Ferry Joke.
Evolution of the Joke
Evolution or Stagnation?
The question of whether the Colin Jost Ferry Joke has evolved over time is a complex one. While the basic premise remains consistent, Jost has attempted to incorporate current events and new angles to keep the joke fresh. He has also played with the audience’s expectations, sometimes subverting the traditional punchline with an unexpected twist. However, the core structure remains the same: set-up, Staten Island Ferry punchline, reaction. This consistency can be both a strength and a weakness. It provides a familiar comfort for viewers who enjoy the recurring bit, but it also risks becoming predictable and stale.
The Colin Jost Ferry Joke has generally been met with a mixed reception. Some viewers find it consistently funny, appreciating the self-deprecating humor and Jost’s delivery. Others have grown tired of the repetitive nature of the joke, finding it predictable and lacking in originality. Social media reactions are varied, with some praising the joke as a comedic highlight and others expressing their annoyance or boredom. The challenge for Jost is to find new and creative ways to keep the joke fresh without alienating his loyal audience. If he fails to do so, then the joke is simply going to become outdated and tired, even if it is a stable and easy part of the SNL show.
Conclusion
Riding the Waves to the End?
Ultimately, the Colin Jost Ferry Joke is a fascinating case study in comedic repetition. It demonstrates how a simple, recurring bit can become an ingrained part of a popular television show. It is a joke that works because it speaks to the everyday life and situations of the average New Yorker. It also works because Colin Jost himself acknowledges the lack of luxury and high status of Staten Island, allowing others to laugh at it without being mean-spirited.
Whether it continues to resonate with audiences will depend on Jost’s ability to find new angles and maintain his trademark delivery. It will depend on whether or not the jokes are able to be more and more innovative, and more and more relevant. If the jokes are not able to stand out from one another, then the bit will be run into the ground until it is unwatchable. It will be interesting to see whether the Colin Jost Ferry Joke can stay afloat, or if it will eventually sink into the annals of comedic history. But for now, it remains a recurring feature of Weekend Update, prompting chuckles, groans, and a reminder that even the most mundane aspects of life can be a source of humor. It serves as a small segment about the large amount of New Yorkers who take the boat everyday. The future of this joke may depend on whether Colin Jost can find new angles and fresh material in something so mundane. Only time will tell if the Colin Jost Ferry Joke can stand the test of time. But it may be a very challenging feat, as the joke itself seems to be so reliant on a consistent status quo.
