Michael Che Headshot - P 2014
AP ImagesSaturday Night Live has named a new Weekend Update co-anchor.
Comedian Michael Che will replace Cecily Strong, who will remain on the show as a repertory player. Che will be joining Colin Jost on the Weekend Update desk
Che, also known for his work on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, joined SNL as a writer last year. He will be leaving his position as a correspondent on The Daily Show just three months after making his debut. His last report was broadcast Sept. 4.
Che has also performed stand-up on Late Night With Seth Meyers and The Late Show With David Letterman. Earlier this year, his stand-up special The Half Hour aired on Comedy Central.
Che thanked host/executive producer Jon Stewart and the rest of the writing staff on Twitter on Thursday evening for making his short tenure a memorable experience.The move comes after a series of shake-ups for SNL and the Weekend Update desk. Strong joined Seth Meyers on the desk as co-anchor last year to prepare for Meyers’ jump to Late Night. Jost made his debut earlier this year on the desk after Meyers’ departure.
Che’s appointment comes after a season in which SNL was under fire from critics complaining about the show’s lack of diversity. SNL responded by embarking on a search to add an African-American woman to the cast, eventually hiring Sasheer Zamata and later adding two African-American women to its writing staff.
SNL returns with a new season Sept. 27 with host Chris Pratt and musical guest Ariana Grande.
Philiana Ng contributed reporting.
i wanna thank Jon & the entire @TheDailyShow staff for letting me do this. i had a FANTASTIC time there. 1st class all the way
— Michael Che (@CheThinks) September 12, 2014
Sept. 11, 8:25 p.m.: Updated with confirmation that Che will be leaving The Daily Show.