Weekend Update is a news segment on Saturday Night Live. It has previously been known as Saturday Night NewsLine (on the March 7, 1981 episode), SNL Newsbreak (season 7), and Saturday Night News (seasons 8-10). It occurs in every episode of SNL, commenting on or parodying current events as a 'fake news' sketch with one or two cast members pretending to be anchors, reading the week's important news headlines (and a few weird stories) and deadpanning a joke about each. "Guests" played by other cast members tend to show up and talk with the anchor(s). At various times, especially in the 1980s/early '90s, sets and graphics were modeled closely after contemporary NBC News branding while at other times a more unique/generic look was sought.
Formats[]
Seasons 1 (1975-1976)[]
Weekend Update was created by original anchor Chevy Chase and SNL writer Herb Sargent, and appeared on the first SNL broadcast on October 11, 1975. Chase popularized several catch phrases during the segment, such as his "I'm Chevy Chase and you're not" greeting; and his repeated announcement that "Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead". When Weekend Update begins, Chase was consistently on the phone presumably talking to his lover, and would talk until realizing he was "on air."
In addition, the practice of a picture insert of a person simultaneously giving the news read in sign language for the hearing impaired—common in the days before closed captioning—was parodied by Garrett Morris. Chase would sometimes repeat the top story at the end of the segment, while Morris simply cupped his mouth and shouted the headline loudly. He would also end the segment with the line "That's the news, goodnight and have a pleasant tomorrow."
The first Weekend Update "guest" appeared during this time, an editorial by Emily Litella (portrayed by Gilda Radner). John Belushi would also frequently appear as himself, in some sort of newsroom-style capacity (giving editorials or appearing as the "weather man").
Seasons 2-5 (1976-80)[]
Chase was present for first show of season 2. He missed the next two episodes, however; Jane Curtin filled in for him. Chase returned to the show but only stayed for a couple more episodes before leaving for good. His last episode as a cast member was the October 30, 1976 episode; starting on the following episode, Curtin was named his permanent replacement, and the segment became Weekend Update with Jane Curtin. Curtin anchored solo for the remainder of season 2, using the same set and desk as the previous season.
For season 3, she was paired with Dan Aykroyd, and the segment moved to a new set. Curtin was then paired with Bill Murray in seasons 4 and 5, with the set changing again for the fourth season.
Season 6 (1980-81)[]
Following the departure of the entire cast at the end of season 5, new producer Jean Doumanian built a new cast, and installed Charles Rocket as anchor. Rocket anchored five episodes solo before being teamed with Gail Matthius for another six, with the transition taking place over Christmas break.
The tenth episode, February 14, 1981, was notable for having three news segments with two names- the regular Update with Rocket and Matthius, plus two segments entitled Newsbreak with Eddie Murphy. Murphy sat in front of the Update backdrop, sans the maps and screen.
The twelfth episode of the season, broadcast March 7, 1981, featured a one-time name change to Saturday Night NewsLine. NewsLine consisted of three segments scattered throughout the show: Mark King, as Dr. Jonathan Lear, talked about DNA in the science segment. Bill Murray, who hosted the episode, appeared as "arts and leisure correspondent", discussing the upcoming Oscars. Charles Rocket anchored the third segment solo as a typical, albeit shortened, Weekend Update-style segment. The set used for NewsLine included the Update backdrop and Eddie Murphy-Newsbreak rear desk, plus a new world map and side screen.
NewsLine took place on the second-to-last episode of the season. Afterward, Jean Doumanian was fired as executive producer. Dick Ebersol succeeded her, and immediately fired most of the cast, including Rocket. For what would be the last episode of the season, Chevy Chase hosted, and the segment was billed as Weekend Update with Chevy Chase. It was done in the same style as the first season, including the original set.
Season 7 (1981-82)[]
At the start of season 7, the segment was renamed SNL Newsbreak, and was hosted by Brian Doyle-Murray. At different times, Murray would host solo, or be joined by Mary Gross and/or Christine Ebersole. Initially, the segment began with a gag wherein the word "break" in the superimposed "SNL Newsbreak" title would explode when struck by lightning, and pieces of the letters would rain down upon Murray's head. This gag was later dropped.
Seasons 8-10 (1982-85)[]
Murray was let go at the end of the season, and the segment changed names again. Initially, it was Saturday Night News with Brad Hall. Hall was pulled from the news desk after a season and a half. For another year, the anchor position rotated, starting with Don Rickles on the January 28, 1984 episode. Halfway through season 10, Christopher Guest took over as permanent anchor. He began on the December 1, 1984 episode and remained until the end of the season.
Notably, the December 8 episode from season 10 had no news segment; it is the only episode in the shows history to not have one.
Seasons 11-16 (1985-1991)[]
Dick Ebersol departed the show after season 10, taking the remaining cast members with him. Lorne Michaels returned as producer, and the name returned to Weekend Update. From the new cast, Michaels installed Dennis Miller as anchor. Miller remained until the end of season 16, giving a final goodbye on the May 18, 1991 episode.
Seasons 17-19 (1991-1994)[]
Following Miller's departure, Kevin Nealon was installed as anchor. He had previously done segments on Weekend Update, notably Mr. Subliminal. He stepped down as anchor because he wanted to perform in more sketches, which he found impossible while anchoring Weekend Update.
Seasons 20-23 (1994-97)[]
Norm Macdonald was chosen to replace Nealon. He took over at the beginning of season 20. His constant references to the O. J. Simpson murder case created friction between Michaels and NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer; Ohlmeyer eventually forced Macdonald off Weekend Update as a result. His last episode as anchor December 13, 1997; he remained on the show for a few more episodes before leaving.
Seasons 23-25 (1998-2000)[]
Macdonald was replaced by Colin Quinn; Quinn had been a frequent commentator on the Macdonald-era Weekend Update. Quinn started on the January 10, 1998 show, and gave the following humorous opening to explain his sudden ascension to the position:
"You know how you go to your favorite bar, and your local bartender isn't there? You ask, 'Where's Jeff?' ... 'Jeff no longer works here, I'm Steve.' And you're thinking, 'Hey, who's this idiot? I like Jeff.' But you still want your drink? And even though Steve doesn't mix your drink the same way you're used to, like Jeff, you still like the same bar. You don't want to have to go to a different bar. And even Steve might feel kinda bad, because Jeff trained him. Jeff showed him how to work the cash register, where the tonic was on the soda gun, who tips, who doesn't... Well, I'm Steve. What can I get you?"
Quinn left the show at the end of season 25.
Seasons 26-34 (2000-08)[]
Following Quinn's departure, the show switched to a two-anchor format. It was initially known as Weekend Update with Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey. This lasted until Fallon left the show at the end of season 29; he gave a goodbye to the audience on the May 15, 2004 show.
Starting with season 30, the segment became Weekend Update with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Fey missed the first three shows of season 31 due to maternity leave; Horatio Sanz anchored alongside Poehler, though the name of the segment remained unchanged. Fey and Poehler remained co-anchors until Fey left the show at the end of season 31.
The segment became Weekend Update with Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers at the beginning of season 32. The first episode of the season, airing September 30, 2006, began with NBC anchor Brian Williams entering and sitting at the desk, believing himself to be Fey's replacement, until Poehler breaks the news and Meyers enters. Poehler left halfway through season 34; her last episode was December 13, 2008.
Seasons 35-38 (2009-2013)[]
Following Poehler's mid-season departure, Seth Meyers took over as sole anchor, with the name of the segment becoming Weekend Update with Seth Meyers. This remained the setup until the end of season 38. Meyers now holds the record for the longest tenure on the show with seven seasons; Fey and Miller are tied for second with six.
During season 38, it was announced that Meyers was chosen to replace Jimmy Fallon on NBC's Late Night, as Fallon was moving to the Tonight Show.[1] This necessitated changes for season 39.
Season 39 (2013-14)[]
Prior to the start of season 39, it was announced that Cecily Strong would co-anchor Weekend Update alongside Meyers, until his departure.[2] The changes in late night programming were scheduled for February of 2014, when The Tonight Show, Late Night, and SNL all had to go on hiatus for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Meyers' last show was February 1, 2014; when SNL returned a month later head writer Colin Jost was added the cast in his place, joining Strong at the desk. Jost's anchoring Weekend Update marks the first time since Brian Doyle-Murray in season 7 that a person was added to the cast only to anchor the news segment, without taking part in any sketches.
Season 40-present (2014-)[]
Prior to the start of season 40, it was announced that Strong had been dropped from the Update desk, and writer Michael Che would be promoted to the cast to anchor alongside Jost. Jost and Che have hosted Weekend Update together since then, and as of Season 47, Jost and Che are the longest tenured Update anchors in the show's history.
So far, this era features many appearances from cast members playing some version of themselves, most notably Pete Davidson and Leslie Jones. Longtime cast member Kenan Thompson has also developed several new characters and impressions, including Willie, Michael Che's fictional neighbor. Thompson also has brought on impressions of former MLB star David Ortiz and Lavar Ball. With Cecily Strong no longer anchoring Weekend Update, she now reprises characters like The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party and Cathy Anne, a woman with a southern accent who hits on Michael Che.
On October 13, 2018, former cast member/Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers hosted the show for the first time since taking over hosting Late Night, and he returned to Weekend Update for the first time since he left the show, in a segment called "Really?!? With Seth, Colin, and Michael", a callback to the "Really?!? With Seth and Amy" segments. This time, Meyers, Jost, and Che talk and joke about rapper Kanye West (a Trump supporter) visiting the White House.
As of season 44, at the end of each Christmas show and season finale, Jost and Che do joke swaps, where they read jokes that the other had written for each other. The lone exception was during season 47, when Jost was absent during the Christmas episode, and they didn't do a Joke Swap, during the season finale, due to Update running long, and having 3 character pieces, including 2, which said goodbye to two longtime cast members, who left after the finale.
Due to COVID-19 issues, the December 18, 2021 episode was filmed with no audience and a limited cast and crew. Weekend Update was still performed, but Jost was not part of the episode's cast, as he has tested positive for COVID, during the week[3]. Tina Fey made a surprise guest appearance to fill in for Jost; due to the reduced staff, the segment was performed on chairs placed on the main stage rather than its usual newsroom set.
Anchors[]
Anchor(s) | Image | Season(s) |
---|---|---|
Chevy Chase | Season 1, Season 2 eps. 1, 4-6 | |
Jane Curtin | Season 2 eps. 2-3, 7-22 | |
Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd | Season 3 | |
Jane Curtin and Bill Murray | Season 4-5 | |
Charles Rocket Alone eps. 1-5 With Gail Matthius eps. 6-11 |
February 21, 1981 |
Season 6 eps. 1-11 Alongside Newsbreak with Eddie Murphy ep.10 |
Eddie Murphy | February 14, 1981 As Newsbreak; broadcast alongside Weekend Update with Charles Rockat and Gail Matthius | |
Mark King (as Dr. Jonathan Lear), Bill Murray (episode host), and Charles Rocket | March 7, 1981 |
March 7, 1981 As Saturday Night NewsLine |
Chevy Chase (episode host) | April 11, 1981 |
April 11, 1981 |
Brian Doyle-Murray Alone: Eps. 4-6, 8-11 With Mary Gross: Eps. 1-3, 7, 13-14 special appearances eps. 8, 12 With Christine Ebersole: Eps. 15-20[Note 1] |
March 27, 1982 |
Season 7 As SNL Newsbreak |
Brad Hall | March 12, 1983 |
Season 8 - Mid Season 9 As Saturday Night News |
Rotating Guest Anchors:
|
February 18, 1984 |
Mid Season 9-Mid Season 10 As Saturday Night News |
Christopher Guest | December 15, 1984 |
Late Season 10 As Saturday Night News |
Dennis Miller | November 9, 1985 |
Seasons 11-16 |
Kevin Nealon | September 26, 1992 |
Seasons 17 - 19 |
Norm MacDonald | February 15, 1997 |
Seasons 20 - First Half of Season 23 |
Colin Quinn | November 14, 1998 |
Second Half of Season 23 - Season 25 |
Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey | January 18, 2003 |
Seasons 26 - 29 |
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler | October 22, 2005 October 8, 2005 |
Seasons 30 - 31 Horation Sanz subbed for Tina Fey, season 31 episodes 1 and 2 |
Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers | November 18, 2006 |
Season 32 - Season 34 episode. 11 |
Seth Meyers | February 18th, 2012 |
Season 34 episode. 12- Season 38 |
Seth Meyers and Cecily Strong | November 16, 2013 |
Season 39 episodes. 1-13 |
Cecily Strong and Colin Jost | April 12, 2014 |
Season 39 episodes. 14-21 |
Colin Jost and Michael Che | October 4, 2014 |
Seasons 40-46 (2014-2021)
Season 47 (2021-2022) |
- ↑ During Ebersole's tenure, the segment was titled SNL Newsbreak with Mary Gross, Christine Ebersole, and Brian Doyle-Murray. Ebersole and Murray sat at the desk, while Gross appeared via "satellite feed".
Trivia[]
This is the second anchor person to start "Colin" as the first name in Colin Jost. The first being Colin Quinn.
Norm Macdonald is the only anchor to end Weekend Update early when realizing it's peaked.
Catchphrases[]
Opening segment[]
"Good evening, I'm Chevy Chase, and you're not." - Chevy Chase. (1975-1976)
"Good evening, I'm Jane Curtin. Here now the news. Our top story tonight..." - Jane Curtain (1976-1980)
"Good evening, I'm Charles Rocket. Here now the news." - Charles Rocket (1980-1981)
"Good evening, and what can I tell you?" - Dennis Miller (1985-1991)
"Good evening, I'm Kevin Nealon, and now our top story." - Kevin Nealon (1991-1994)
"I'm Norm MacDonald, and this is/now the fake news." - Norm MacDonald (1994-1997)
"Hi, I'm Colin Quinn, and here are today's/tonight's top stories." - Colin Quinn. (1998-2000)
START OF SPIEL: Hi./Good evening. (Welcome to Weekend Update.)"
..."I'm Jimmy Fallon." (2000-2004)
..."I'm Amy Poehler." (2004-2008)
..."I'm Tina Fey." (2000-2005)
..."I'm Seth Meyers." (2008-2014)
..."I'm Cecily Strong." (2014)
..."I'm Michael Che." (2014-present)
..."I'm Colin Jost." (2014-present)
REST OF SPIEL: "...and here are tonight's top stories." - Weekend Update anchor (2000-Present)
Closing segment[]
"Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow." - Chevy Chase, Jane Curtain
"I'm Charles Rocket. Good night and... watch out." - Charles Rocket
"Good night, and good news." - Brian Doyle Murray
"That's all for tonight. For SNL News, I'm Brad Hall. Good night." - Brad Hall
"Guess what, folks? That's the news, and I am outta here!" - Dennis Miller (1985-1991)
"I'm Kevin Nealon, and that's news to me." - Kevin Nealon (1991-1994)
"And that's the way it is. Good night!" - Norm MacDonald (1994-1997)
"I'm Colin Quinn, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it." - Colin Quinn (1998-2000)
START OF SPIEL: "For Weekend Update..."
..."I'm Jimmy Fallon." (2000-2004)
..."I'm Tina Fey." (2000-2005)
..."I'm Amy Poehler." (2004-2008)
..."I'm Seth Meyers." (2008-2014)
..."I'm Cecily Strong." (2014)
..."I'm Michael Che." (2014-present)
..."I'm Colin Jost." (2014-present)
REST OF SPIEL: ..."Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow." - Weekend Update anchor (2000-2006, taken from Chevy Chase and Jane Curtain from above)
REST OF SPIEL: ...Good night!" (2006-present). - Weekend Update anchor (2006-present)