SNL‘s “Weekend Update” Confirmed for Limited Primetime Series

We have confirmation that NBC will air four, 30-minute primetime episodes of SNL’s “Weekend Update” sketch starting on Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.

So, the rumors that the “Weekend Update” segment would be moving to primetime were at least partly true. Originally, Politico had speculated that NBC was making the “Weekend Update” segment a weekly, 30-minute primetime show. Now we know it’ll just be four episodes featuring co-anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost, with the occasional SNL cast member making a guest appearance.

As we’ve previously reported, this is not the first time the network has made the temporary jump to primetime. NBC has periodically aired additional episodes of “Weekend Update,” especially around election cycles, like in 2008 and 2012. Of course, 2017 isn’t an election year, but SNL is experiencing a 22 percent bump in ratings, thanks in part to Alec Baldwin’s popular Trump impersonations and Melissa McCarthy’s hilarious appearances as press secretary Sean Spicer.

Aug. 10 feels like a long way off, so in the meantime, check out Paste writer Seth Simons’ compelling argument for why Michael Che and Colin Jost shouldn’t host “Weekend Update” here.