Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images
For ages, one of the biggest hurdles surfing has faced is bringing it to the masses. Folks who can’t throw a spiral if their lives depended on it love watching football. But people who don’t surf watching surfing? Nope. Simply put, they don’t understand it.
And so, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics and surfing’s second-ever appearance in the Games at Teahupo’o, Tahiti, NBC is bringing in some outside help. Someone recognizable, relatable to the non-surfing viewers to walk them through the broadcast. They’ve tapped Colin Jost, a comedian famous for his role on “Weekend Update” from Saturday Night Live, a best-selling author, and also, Scarlett Johansson’s husband.
Related: Olympic Surfing 101: Everything to Know Before Paris 2024
“I’m honored to get to watch the best surfers in the world compete on one of the heaviest waves imaginable, and to help showcase the rich history of surfing in Tahiti,” Jost said in a press release. “And my Writer’s Guild Health Insurance is excited to see what the coral reef does to my back.”
So, does this mean Jost will be surfing Chopes? Practicing with the competitors in the leadup to the Games? Rubbing shoulders with John John, dropping in on Gabriel?
Doubtful. However, Molly Solomon, Executive Producer and President, Production, NBC Olympics, called Jost an “avid surfer.” Solomon also added, strangely and comically, “Tune in to see if he catches a wave for America.”
Turns out, Jost does surf. In an excerpt from his book, A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir, the comedian recounted a story of surfing with the late Jimmy Buffett, and being rescued by the knife-wielding musician after getting pinned against some rocks.
Related: SNL’s Colin Jost Was Once Rescued by a Knife-Wielding Jimmy Buffett While Surfing
After the close call, Jost noted:
“Jimmy hands me the board and points to a gentler section of waves to the right and says, ‘That might be more your speed over there.’”
That was St. Barts. In the Caribbean. Not a notoriously dangerous surfing destination. So, Teahupo’o? Don’t think so.
SURFER will be on the ground in Tahiti covering the Olympics as well. See you in the channel, Colin. We’ll keep you posted if he “catches a wave for America.”
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