Thu Sep 12 00:41:17 UTC 2024: ## ‘SNL’ Anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che Step Down as Head Writers Due to Personal Reasons

**New York, NY** – Saturday Night Live’s co-anchors and Weekend Update stars, Colin Jost and Michael Che, have stepped down from their head writer roles. The pair, who have been with the show for years, cited personal reasons behind their decision, revealing the strain the demanding job placed on their personal lives.

Jost, who held the position from 2012 to 2015 and again from 2017 to 2022, commented on the significant time commitment, stating, “It felt like it was kind of over a couple of years… because I feel like I did it at least 8 years or something, maybe more. Then we did it together at least 5. And then we were sorta not doing the job for the last couple years because we were being torn in a lot of other directions.”

Che, who co-headed the writing team with Jost from 2017 to 2022, echoed his colleague’s sentiments, adding, “Colin is really good at it, and he’s always stayed as a leader in the writers room, but I wasn’t doing the job.”

Che specifically pointed out the impact the role had on his personal life, including his marriage to actress Scarlett Johansson. He described sacrificing sleep and spending long hours at work, noting, “I used to sleep at work twice a week, straight through 24-hour tours twice a week… (Scarlett was like) ‘get home.’ And also, for my own well-being, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, it makes more sense to sleep for some hours and not be there all night.’”

Jost also emphasized the demanding nature of the role, adding, “It sorta felt unfair to the other people who were really doing head writing jobs and running re-write tables which we weren’t doing for the last year that we were doing it. It was sort of a conversation we had with Lorne [Michaels, SNL creator].”

Despite stepping down from their head writer positions, both Jost and Che remain integral members of the SNL team. They continue to anchor Weekend Update, contributing their signature comedic style to the show. They also have a range of other projects in the works, including a Peacock comedy special featuring up-and-coming comedians.

Fans can catch Jost and Che back at the Weekend Update desk when Saturday Night Live Season 50 premieres on September 28th at 11:30 p.m. ET.

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