Colin Jost and Michael Che Weekend Update Start Date
Colin Jost became a Weekend Update co-anchor on Saturday Night Live starting with Season 39 in 2013, while Michael Che joined as co-anchor in Season 40 in 2014, making them the longest-running current pair on the segment. Their shared tenure now spans over a decade, with both anchors still leading the segment as of the latest public season renewals and cast announcements. This timeline is confirmed by NBC and SNL official casting and credit records, including network press releases and cast lists published by reliable entertainment outlets Forbes. Their combined anchor period exceeds that of any other modern Weekend Update duo, and both remain central figures in the segment's format and tone.
Roles and Responsibilities on Weekend Update
As co-head anchors, Colin Jost and Michael Che write and deliver the weekly news desk segments, conduct fake interviews, and introduce field pieces and pre-taped Weekend Update specials. Jost typically handles the desk news reads and writes many of the scripts, while Che focuses on topical comedy, recurring characters, and cross-desk banter, a division of labor that has become a staple of the segment's structure. Their on-air dynamic and writing process are shaped by the show's head writer team and the anchor desk format, which has remained consistent across recent seasons NBC Insider. Both anchors also appear in promotional materials and digital extensions of Weekend Update, reinforcing their status as the segment's primary on-screen faces.
Impact on SNL and Broadcast History
Colin Jost and Michael Che have helped Weekend Update maintain its position as SNL's longest-running recurring segment, with their tenure coinciding with major shifts in how the segment is produced, promoted, and distributed across streaming and social platforms. Their anchor pairing has coincided with multiple Emmy nominations for the show and sustained viewership for Weekend Update clips on digital platforms, where short-form highlights often outperform full episodes in engagement metrics. The segment's format under their leadership continues to follow the classic desk structure while incorporating more digital-first content and cross-platform promotion, a trend documented by NBC and industry coverage of SNL's broadcast and online strategy NBC Insider. As of the latest public season data, Jost and Che remain the primary Weekend Update anchors, with no announced changes to their roles in upcoming seasons.
Comparison with Previous Weekend Update Anchors
Historical Context
Before Colin Jost and Michael Che, Weekend Update was anchored by Seth Meyers and Cecily Strong, and prior to that by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, among other pairings. Jost and Che's combined tenure now exceeds that of several previous anchor duos, and their continuity has provided a stable comedic voice for the segment during periods of cast turnover and format experimentation.
Tenure Length
By the end of the most recent publicly announced SNL season, Colin Jost and Michael Che have served as co-anchors for more seasons than any other current Weekend Update pair, a fact reflected in NBC's official cast and credit records and in coverage by trusted entertainment and industry sources The Hollywood Reporter. Their extended run has allowed them to refine the segment's pacing, writing style, and digital integration, setting a benchmark for future anchor pairings.