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Colin Jost just revealed his favorite cold open ever. The SNL veteran spilled behind-the-scenes secrets in “The Rundown,” a brand new web series. The Weekend Update anchor picks the 2008 Katie Couric-Sarah Palin interview sketch as number one.
🔥 Quick Facts
- “The Rundown” Series: New SNL web series where cast reveal their favorite cold opens
- Jost’s Pick: 2008 cold open featuring Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, Amy Poehler as Katie Couric
- Writing Volume: Jost has written approximately 100 cold opens throughout his SNL career
- Selection Challenge: SNL writes 45 to 50 sketches weekly, only 8 to 9 make the show
Why the Katie Couric Cold Open Stands Apart
Colin Jost explained his pick came from both nostalgia and pure excellence. “It’s nostalgic for me, because it was early on for me as a writer,” Jost said. The sketch featured Tina Fey’s iconic portrayal of Sarah Palin opposite Amy Poehler’s Katie Couric.
Seth Meyers wrote the original sketch, which opened Season 34’s third episode in 2008. According to Jost, the chemistry between the performers made it legendary. “You got to see them playing off each other. I think they’re two of the best to ever do it,” he explained. The cold open produced countless catchphrases and iconic moments.
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SNL Jost reveals favorite cold open ever, spills behind-the-scenes secrets
Behind the Scenes of Cold Open Creation
The SNL veteran walked fans through how cold opens make it to air. Before each live broadcast, there’s a musical warm-up with the cast. Then comes ten minutes of jazz to set the ice-cold vibe in Studio 8H. Getting an audience laughing right away is extremely difficult.
“If you’re good as a performer and you’re good as a writer at being able to get that audience laughing early on, it is a feat,” Jost stated. He discussed how the writing staff produces between 45 to 50 sketches weekly. Of those, only 8 to 9 sketches actually make the broadcast. The competition for airtime is intense.
Legendary Cold Opens Jost Helped Bring to Life
Jost discussed other memorable cold opens he contributed to the show. These included Matt Damon’s portrayal of Brett Kavanaugh from Season 44, which became a cultural phenomenon. Another standout was Melissa McCarthy’s hilarious run as Sean Spicer, which spawned multiple weeks of sketches.
| Cold Open | Year/Season | Notable Element |
| Katie Couric-Sarah Palin | 2008, Season 34 | Jost’s all-time favorite |
| Barack Obama Halloween | Season 33 | Jost particularly fond of |
| Brett Kavanaugh Hearing | Season 44 | Matt Damon’s powerful performance |
| Sean Spicer Press Briefing | Multiple episodes | Melissa McCarthy’s iconic character |
Jost also recalled a Season 33 Halloween reveal featuring then-candidate Barack Obama. These cold opens showcase how SNL captures cultural moments and political news instantly.
“It’s nostalgic for me, because it was early on for me as a writer. It was just a great combination of Seth and Tina and Amy together, you got to see them playing off each other. I think they’re two of the best to ever do it. There were so many iconic things that came out of it.”
— Colin Jost, SNL Writer and Weekend Update Co-Anchor
Why Cold Opens Matter More Than Fans Realize
Jost emphasized that cold opens serve a crucial purpose beyond entertainment. They function as audience ice breakers during the live broadcast. The energy of those first few minutes shapes the entire show’s tone and momentum.
Jost also mentioned other classic cold opens he admires but didn’t write. Steve Martin’s musical “Not Gonna Phone It In Tonight” from Season 17 impressed him. The very first SNL cold open “Wolverines” featuring John Belushi from 1975 remains special. “I always wished we could go back to that more,” Jost explained, longing for shorter, simpler sketches.
What’s Next for “The Rundown” Series?
SNL will continue releasing new episodes of “The Rundown” throughout its hiatus period. Future guests include comedy legends like Dana Carvey, Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and Chloe Fineman. Each will share their dream cold open selections. The series streams on YouTube, NBC, and Peacock every Wednesday during breaks.
Watch the full episode: The Rundown: Colin Jost Picks a Cold Open – SNL on YouTube
Sources
- Entertainment Weekly – Colin Jost reveals his pick for best-ever SNL cold open with analysis of iconic sketches
- Parade – Colin Jost spills SNL backstage secrets and Michael Che’s humorous response on Instagram
- NBC Insider – Colin Jost explains how SNL cold opens get made and selected in “The Rundown” web series
