Weekend Update is officially going to the Emmys. NBC confirms that SNL writers and stars Colin Jost and Michael Che will host the 2018 ceremony later this year, while creator Lorne Michaels is getting back involved as well.
SNL may be in for some changes at the Weekend Update desk, but it’s not what you think – yet. Anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che will be doubling up on their responsibilities as two of SNL’s new head writers.
The rumors are true: SNL is taking Weekend Update out for a primetime spin once more. Seeing as today’s news is never not in need of incisive comedy, Colin Jost and Michael Che will end their summer breaks early to bring new half-hour Weekend Update episodes to NBC.
It made sense of SNL stars Colin Jost and Michael Che to take Weekend Update out on the road for the election conventions, but now that we have a longer investment in political commentary, is it time to spin off the bit altogether? That’s the word on the street, as NBC is reportedly considering a primetime Weekend Update.
SNL sailed from the 40th anniversary into Season 41 rather smoothly, though the waters roughened in recent weeks with the departures of Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah and Jon Rudnitsky. Thankfully, it’s clear skies ahead for Season 42, as the rest of the beloved cast will be staying aboard. Sailing metaphors!
Not that the Republican National Convention lacked for its own special breed of entertainment night after night, but the political arena at least managed to bring SNL out of summer break early. Watch Colin Jost and Michael Che bring Weekend Update to Cleveland with the requisite Pokémon GO sketch you never wanted, plus bonus Kate McKinnon!
SNL won’t return for Season 41 until at least September, but considering their comparatively light workloads, Weekend Update hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che are ending their summer breaks early to take on the political conventions. Ahead of a more classic Weekend Update, however, watch as Jost and Che take to the streets of Cleveland for some fun at the RNC’s expense.
No late-night comedians could easily resist the call of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and it looks like SNL will be getting in on the fun as well. Long before Season 42 hits NBC, Colin Jost and Michael Che will bring special editions of Weekend Update to MSNBC for both events.
I cover ‘SNL’ on a weekly basis and have been a staunch supporter of Michael Che’s recent rise to the ‘Weekend Update’ desk. This is why reading his sexist joke -- his fake "apology" in response to a video of a woman being harassed on the streets of New York City -- this morning didn’t ignite feelings of “outrage,” just pure disappointment and sadness.