An “in-no-way-doctored photo” from Jost’s announcement that he would be covering the games. Photo: Colin Jost//Instagram
Colin Jost had a rough time at the 2024 Olympic surfing event. After a week of covering the games while plagued by medical issues, the Saturday Night Live cast member and Weekend Update anchor has been quietly sent home from Teahupo’o.
According to Reuters, NBC provided no explanation as to the reason for Jost’s departure. However, shortly before he left, the comedian had been making daily visits to Olympic medical staff to tend to a reef cut to his foot that had developed a nasty staph infection.
In the wake of Jost’s departure, NBC tapped Australian weatherman, radio broadcaster and surfer Luke Bradnam to take his place. Bradnam was already in Tahiti covering the event for Australia’s Channel Nine, where he had actually crossed paths with Jost a few times. “Initially, I didn’t know who he was. He just looked different to the rest of us. We’re all a bit weathered right, and he looked perfect,” Bradnam told Reuters.
After an Olympic official explained who Jost was, the Australian initially had reservations about the comedian, but soon found himself won over. “He’s way too good-looking, he’s funny, and he’s married to Scarlett Johansson,” said Bradnam to the Sydney Morning Herald “He’s got enough in life. But I spent two days on the boats with him, I just couldn’t help it, he was just a great bloke.”
Unfortunately, the reef at Teahupo’o makes no such distinctions. Hopefully, Jost enjoys a speedy recovery from his injury.
