NBC Orders Primetime Version of ‘Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update’

[socialpoll id=”2427115″]

NBC has picked up a primetime version of “Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update,” which will air this summer for four weeks beginning Thursday, August 10 at 9 p.m. ET. The half-hour telecast will feature “Weekend Update” anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che, with additional “SNL” cast members also set to make appearances. “Saturday Night Live” has seen its ratings increase this year by double-digit percentages on the strength of its political material, which has included Alec Baldwin’s recurring impression of President Donald Trump and Melissa McCarthy as Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

“SNL is having its best season in a quarter of a century – how many shows can say that?! So we didn’t want them to take the summer off,” said NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have Colin Jost and Michael Che continuing their unique brand of news with fresh ‘Weekend Update’ shows in primetime this August.”

This won’t be the first time that the “SNL” segment has been seen in primetime. The segment has previously aired during election years with special broadcasts in 2008 and 2012. A six-episode order in 2009 only made it to the air for half its planned run.

Last summer, NBC populated one hour each week with variety themed “Maya & Marty,” headlined by “SNL” alum Maya Rudolph and Martin Short.