The Simpsons Season 38 Pokes Fun at Colin Jost’s Ferry Purchase
In the Season 38 premiere of The Simpsons, Colin Jost appears as himself at Springfield Elementary to promote a children's book. The book references the decommissioned Staten Island Ferry that Jost and Pete Davidson bought in 2022, a purchase they have often joked about. The episode frames Jost as desperate to draw riders, though a September 2026 comedy event on the ferry suggested the venture may be turning into an entertainment venue.
In the Season 38 opener, Colin Jost appears as himself at Springfield Elementary to push a kids' book. The title nods to the retired Staten Island Ferry he and Pete Davidson purchased in 2022. The students' lack of interest fuels the joke that he is reduced to a last-ditch marketing effort.
Jost and Davidson have long treated the vessel as a comedic burden, joking they regretted buying it. Yet a September 2026 Snapple-sponsored comedy show aboard the ferry drew positive reactions. Davidson said it was rewarding to show people the promise they had recognized and to silence skeptics.
This crossover may mainly affect fans of The Simpsons, SNL, and New York City curiosities, giving them a shared joke about celebrity side projects. It could also draw fresh attention to the ferry as a potential entertainment space, benefiting event organizers, local performers, and tourism-related businesses if interest grows. Conversely, the gag may reinforce perceptions that celebrity ventures are frivolous, though the actual comedy event suggests audiences could respond positively.