They have a weekend update about their future on “Saturday Night Live.”
Talking to Howard Stern on his SiriusXM show, the host asked Colin Jost, 42, and Michael Che, 41, if the two “Weekend Update” hosts would consider taking over for “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels, 79, in the midst of rumors that Michaels may retire after the show’s upcoming season, its 50th.
“Could you imagine having to do that? I don’t know that any – I don’t know how – you do that job and not be Lorne,” said Che, who has been on the show since 2013.
Jost and Che were also the show’s co-head writers from 2017 to 2022. They’ve co-hosted the legendary “Weekend Update” segment since 2014.
Colin Jost and Michael Che during “Weekend Update” on “SNL.” Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images
Lorne Michaels in Paris for the Olympics in July. WireImage
Michael Che and Colin Jost visited “The Howard Stern Show” at SiriusXM Studios on Monday. Getty Images for SiriusXMJost, who has been with “SNL” since 2005, added of Michaels, “It is his show.”
“Yeah, it’s in his image. It would be so strange,” said Che.
Stern commented that “somebody” will have to take over the role after Michaels retires. The shock jock mentioned rumors it could be Tina Fey or Seth Meyers.
“Has anyone talked to you about that?” Stern pressed Che and Jost.
“Not once,” said Che. “I don’t think about that at all. That’s a tough job. I don’t think people really put in perspective what you actually have to do.”
Michael Che on “The Howard Stern Show.” YouTube / The Howard Stern Show
Colin Jost on “SNL.” Rosalind O'Connor/NBC via Getty ImagesJost talked about the “level of stress” involved in the job.
“Sometimes I think about — it’s been on for 50 years, right?” he said. “So there’s been 50 years of cast members, 50 years of writers. And he maintains in some way, some kind of relationship with so many of them, and so many people got through so many things in their lives that he often has to deal with … There’s so much other outreach beyond running the current show.”
Jost, who has been married to Scarlett Johansson since 2020, added, “I always think about how much that must weigh on him … Let alone things we’re protected from, like dealings with the network, or in the ‘90s when the ratings were lower. Or when the network didn’t like the cast. That’s a whole other part of the job that none of us have to do.”
After listening to Jost, Che said he “wasn’t even thinking” about all of that.
“To me, it’s like, imagine being the stepfather of a 50-year-old!” said Che, referring to how the show is going into its landmark 50th season, premiering Sept. 28 on NBC.
“It’s just impossible,” he said.
Colin Jost and Michael Che at the 2018 Emmys. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
The “SNL” Season 49 cast: Andrew Dismukes (left), Punkie Johnson (top row, from left), James Austin Johnson, Marcello Hernandez, Ego Nwodim, Michael Che, Colin Jost, Mikey Day, Molly Kearney, Chloe Troast and Devon Walker; Heidi Gardner (lower row, from left), Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, Michael Longfellow and Kenan Thompson. Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC via Getty ImagesStern asked the duo if they would take the job if it was offered to them.
“No, I don’t think it’s offered. I don’t think that’s in the realm of possibility,” said Che.
Jost said that they both “obviously care” about the show. So, in the event that Michaels retired, “you want it to keep going in some way, probably.”
“When it’s done well, it’s a really unique thing,” Jost said. “It would be sad if it changed or got weird or something.”
