Timeline of Colin Jost and Michael Che as Weekend Update Co-Anchors
Colin Jost and Michael Che first co-anchored Saturday Night Live Weekend Update on the episode hosted by Jason Momoa and musical guest Jack White on October 11, 2014, marking the start of their shared tenure as update anchors.
Immediate Context and Pre-2014 Setup
Before October 2014, Weekend Update featured rotating anchors, including Cecily Strong, who held the role in spring 2014. In summer 2014, SNL retooled the segment, and producers shifted to a two-anchor format to sharpen political and pop culture coverage. The Momoa/White episode aligned with that change, placing Jost and Che in the updated desk as permanent co-anchors.
Key Milestones (2014–2025)
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| October 11, 2014 | Jost and Che debut as co-anchors on SNL Weekend Update (season 40, episode 2) | Formal start of their shared anchor tenure |
| 2014–2015 | Transition from previous anchor lineup, including Cecily Strong’s earlier Update runs | Signaled a more stable, duo-driven format |
| 2015–2024 | Continuity through seasons 41–49, multiple host/ musical guests, and increased cross-platform presence | Established them as the durable face of SNL political satire |
| 2024 | Contract renewals and ongoing hosting duties; estimates place their combined annual earnings in the multimillion range | Affirms their central role in SNL’s near-term future |
| 2025 | Continued co-anchoring into the current season, with no official announcement of a transition away from the Update desk | Signals sustained partnership and familiar hosting expectations |
From Rotating Anchors to a Stable Duo
Weekend Update historically rotated anchors weekly or even more frequently. By fall 2014, Lorne Michaels and the writing staff sought consistency, pairing Jost—known for polished political bits—with Che, celebrated for sharp comedic instincts and breaking-news responsiveness. This pairing reduced turnover and created a recognizable rhythm for viewers.
Notable Milestones and Format Shifts
- Pre-2014: Frequent anchor changes and occasional one-off pairings, including Strong, Jost, and Che in various combinations.
- October 2014: Jost and Che’s first co-anchored Update, establishing the template for future episodes.
- 2017–2018: Increased social media integration and cross-promotion with SNL digital content.
- 2020–2021: Remote episodes during the pandemic, demonstrating format flexibility while retaining the Jost/Che anchor team.
- 2023–2025: Continued stability, with periodic hosting and musical guests, but no announced shift away from the Update desk.
Relationship and Collaboration Style
Jost and Che present a contrast that has defined their Update tenure: Jost often delivers longer, tightly scripted policy segments, while Che excels at rapid-fire jokes and on-the-fly reactions. Their complementary pacing has helped the segment maintain both depth and pace, keeping audiences engaged through election cycles and major news events.
Current Status and Future Outlook
As of the 2024–2025 season, Jost and Che remain the primary Weekend Update co-anchors. SNL has not issued official succession plans, and industry reporting suggests they will continue anchoring through at least the current season. Their stability contrasts with earlier eras of frequent turnover, giving viewers a reliable, familiar anchor team.
While hosts and musical guests change weekly, the core Update format has remained anchored by Jost and Che since October 2014. Their ongoing partnership reflects SNL’s broader strategy of pairing writers-performers who can both break down policy and land big laughs under tight live-TV constraints.
For viewers, the takeaway is simple: when the show opens with the Update desk, Colin Jost and Michael Che are the voices guiding the week’s headlines. Their tenure officially began in October 2014, and barring any unannounced shifts, they will continue to lead Saturday Night Live’s signature news parody segment for the foreseeable future.
Tags: Colin Jost, Michael Che, Weekend Update, SNL, Saturday Night Live, October 2014, anchor team, NBC, Late Night, career timeline