Cecily Strong has responded to her ousting from “Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update” just one day after news broke that she would be replaced by comedian and “Daily Show” correspondent Michael Che. She took to Instagram to assure fans that she’s fine with it and actually kind of prefers it.
“I don’t see this as me leaving update, just as me being on update in a looser, goofier way that is a lot more fun for me and in a way I think I’m better at,” Strong wrote. “And now I get to do features with the very funny and wonderful Michael Che! No point in being angry or sad for me for something I’m genuinely happy about! Unless you are just a person who enjoys being angry or sad. Then I guess play on, playa.”
Che will resumed Strong’s duties behind the desk alongside “Weekend Update” co-host Colin Jost when the 40th season of NBC’s “SNL” kicks off on Sept. 27. The host shakeup for the sketch show’s satirical news segment was announced Thursday by the network.
Also read: ‘SNL’ Creator Reveals Why Cecily Strong Lost Her ‘SNL Weekend Update’ Gig
“SNL” creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels said that the change was about “a new era.” He said that Weekend Update “struggled to find an identity last season because what had come before had been pretty brilliant.”
Before joining Weekend Update as a co-anchor alongside the outgoing Seth Meyers, Strong had begun making her stamp on the segment in guest roles, like “The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With at a Party.”
We wouldn’t be surprised if she made an appearance in the season premiere in either that role or another similar role.
Also read: ‘Saturday Night Live’ Replaces Cecily Strong With Michael Che as ‘Weekend Update’ Anchor
Unlike most Weekend Update hosts, Strong never really backed down from performing in other comedy sketches throughout the night, insisting that she never would. She’s a performer and enjoyed those challenges.
While it’s unclear at this point if Che will appear in sketches beyond Weekend Update, his co-anchor Colin Jost likely won’t. Jost joined Strong behind the desk after Meyers left for “Late Night.” Jost, who is also the new head writer of the show, does not appear in sketches outside of Weekend Update.
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