A Very Punchable Face

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Colin Jost, head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor for Saturday Night Live, has endured six stitches on his face and has been punched in various sketches, including once by his boss, Lorne Michaels. His comedic resilience stems from a childhood as an overweight kid in a family of firefighters on Staten Island, where he commuted three hours daily to high school and experienced bizarre sights, like a Russian woman throwing a stroller off a ferry. Jost attended Harvard during Facebook's rise but chose comedy instead, navigating life like a "slightly smarter Forrest Gump." Readers will uncover surprising aspects of his life, including behind-the-scenes stories from SNL, where he crafted iconic sketches and characters, and his role alongside Leslie Jones on Weekend Update. His journey as a touring stand-up comedian spans performing in rural cafeterias to opening for Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall. Each accomplishment, like hosting the Emmys, is met with setbacks, and absurd moments, such as witnessing paramedics perform CPR on a raccoon, are balanced by poignant memories, including his mother’s experience during the 9/11 attacks. This narrative reveals the clever mind behind some of television's silliest sketches and showcases the heart and humor of a dedicated comedian.