Now this is one update you’ll be happy to hear: Colin Jost and Michael Che have been named co-head writers of “Saturday Night Live.”
The news of the “Weekend Update” co-anchors new position at NBC’s Emmy Award-winning late night series was announced by the network on Tuesday. The duo will be joining two other current head writers, Kent Sublette and Bryan Tucker, in their new roles. “SNL” also revealed Sudi Green and Fran Gillespie have been named writing supervisors.
Che and Jost’s big announcement comes shortly after the abrupt exit of co-head writers Sarah Schneider and Chris Kelly in October.
Che and Jost have been helming “Weekend Update” since 2014. Jost, who has previously held the position of co-head writer, is a four-time WGA Award winner and recipient of a Peabody Award. He started on “SNL” as a writer in 2005. Che, who has joined the ranks of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch list and Rolling Stone’s 50 Funniest People, was featured on “The Daily Show” before signing up with “SNL” in 2013.
“SNL”s current head scribes Green and Gillespie have penned several popular sketches, including “Cartier Fidget Spinner Ad” and “E! New Line-Up Promo” with Gal Gadot.
In its 43rd season, Lorne Michael’s beloved sketch show has been averaging a 2.89 rating in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demo and 9.577 million viewers overall in “live plus seven day” figures from Nielsen. Those high numbers make this season the show’s second most-watched in nine years.
Jost is represented by CAA.