An “in-no-way-doctored photo” from Jost’s announcement that he would be covering Olympic surfing for NBC. Photo: Colin Jost // Instagram
NBC surfing correspondent Colin Jost is still alive and well, despite mangling his foot on the Teahupo’o reef and making an early exit from the Olympic surfing venue. In response to speculation that his departure from the games may have been due to the injury, the Weekend Update anchor recently took to social media to deliver a tongue-in-cheek ‘clarification’ on his condition. However, while the satirical update provided few actual details, his employers at NBC assured the public that Jost’s departure was not for medical reasons.
“’Dude, are you OK?’ That’s the number one text message I’ve received in the last 48 hours, usually followed by ‘Heard your foot fell off,’ began Jost’s monologue to camera, posted to his Instagram. “I’m actually fine, and despite what big media conspiracies would have you believe, I wasn’t ‘sent home’ from the Olympics. NBC simply looked at my foot, declared me legally a leper and exiled me here, to the island of Malta.”
In a separate statement to USA Today, NBC clarified that the actual reason for Jost’s departure was simply a matter of scheduling. “Colin stayed longer than originally planned,” explained the network. “The competition ran long due to weather. He had a great time, and everyone was thrilled with his coverage from Tahiti.”
As to why he is now reporting on surfing from a mediterranean archipelago, Jost joked that, “It was the site of 10 separate bubonic plague outbreaks, so they thought I would fit right in.” However, it’s more likely the comedian is there because his wife, Scarlett Johansson, is starring in Jurassic World 4, which is filming in the area.
Though he only narrowly escaped adding his own cranium to the Wall of Skulls, Jost made sure to end the video by expressing gratitude to his hosts, saying, “I would like to sincerely thank the people of Tahiti for their warmth, their generosity, their hospitality, and for only occasionally looking at my foot and whispering ‘chupacabra.’”
For those who may still harbor concern for his medical safety, Jost added, “Rest assured, my foot is pretty much totally fine, even though I’m not letting you look at it.”
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