SNL is a weird beast. It’s an institution that people love to claim is dying while simultaneously obsessing over every single sketch. But if you want to find the real friction point of the modern era, you have to look at Michael Che on Saturday Night Live. Since he took over the Weekend Update desk in 2014, the show changed. It got sharper, meaner, and arguably way more honest.
He wasn't the first Black anchor—that was Brian Doyle-Murray’s brief stint, followed by the legendary Norm Macdonald (who Michael Che often cites as a massive influence) and later, the brilliant Horatio Sanz. But Che brought something different. He brought a "I might get fired for this" energy that the show desperately needed after the polished, upbeat years of Seth Meyers.
The Weekend Update Evolution: Michael Che’s Impact on Saturday Night Live
Honestly, when Michael Che first sat down next to Colin Jost, people didn't know what to make of them. They looked like two guys who had nothing in common. You had Jost, the Harvard-educated head writer who looks like he was grown in a "generic anchorman" lab, and Che, the stand-up from the Lower East Side who looks like he’d rather be literally anywhere else. That’s the magic, though. That friction is why Michael Che on Saturday Night Live works.
The chemistry didn't happen overnight. It took a few seasons for them to stop acting like two guys reading a script and start acting like two friends trying to ruin each other’s lives. The joke swaps? Pure genius. Every Christmas and season finale, they write jokes for each other that are designed to make the other person look as terrible as possible. It’s the highest-rated segment for a reason. It feels dangerous. In a world of carefully curated PR, watching Michael Che force Colin Jost to read a joke that sounds borderline bigoted is the most "live" part of the show.
The "IDGAF" Philosophy of Michael Che
Most people who work at 30 Rock are terrified of the internet. They see a Twitter (X) thread calling for their head and they retreat. Not Che. He leans in. He’s been known to post screenshots of critics on his Instagram stories, arguing with them in the middle of the night. Is it professional? Maybe not. Is it hilarious? Absolutely.
This attitude translates directly to his writing. Michael Che on Saturday Night Live has never been about "clapter"—that annoying phenomenon where an audience claps because they agree with a political point rather than laughing because something is actually funny. Che goes for the groan. He goes for the "oh no he didn't" moment. He’s a stand-up comedian at heart, and he treats the Weekend Update desk like a late-night set at The Comedy Cellar.
Why the Critics Can’t Stand Him (And Why He Doesn’t Care)
Critics often accuse Che of being dismissive or even "lazy" with his delivery. They’re wrong. It’s a choice. He’s playing a character of a guy who is exhausted by the news cycle. And let’s be real, aren't we all? By presenting the news with a shrug and a smirk, he’s reflecting the actual mood of the country better than a high-energy performer could.
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He's also faced backlash for some of his more "edgy" jokes. Remember the joke about Simone Biles? Or the one about the "Gen Z Hospital"? People lost their minds. But if you look at the history of Michael Che on Saturday Night Live, he’s consistently punching in every direction. He isn't interested in being your moral compass. He’s interested in finding where the line is and then doing a little tap dance on it.
Behind the Scenes: The Head Writer Years
It’s easy to forget that Michael Che isn't just a face on the screen. He was the first person of color to be a co-head writer at SNL. That’s a huge deal. It changed the room. Under his and Jost’s leadership, the show started hiring more diverse voices—not just for the sake of diversity, but because those voices were actually funny and brought different perspectives to the table.
Think about the sketches like "Black Jeopardy." While Che didn't write every single one of them, his influence on the tone of the show during his tenure is undeniable. He pushed for sketches that felt more grounded in reality and less like theater school exercises.
The Rumors of Leaving
Every year, like clockwork, rumors start swirling that Michael Che is done with Saturday Night Live. He posts a cryptic message on Instagram. He tells a crowd at a stand-up show that he’s tired. And every year, Lorne Michaels convinces him to stay. Why? Because you can’t replace that specific kind of cynical charisma.
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The transition from the "political" era of SNL (the Alec Baldwin as Trump years) to a more personality-driven era was led by Che. He realized that people don't want to be lectured; they want to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
What Actually Happens During a Weekend Update Taping?
If you’ve ever been in the studio, the energy changes when Che and Jost walk out. It’s the one part of the show that feels truly loose. They riff. They mess up lines and laugh at each other. They interact with the "guests" like Bowen Yang’s "Iceberg" or Cecily Strong’s "Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party" in a way that feels unscripted.
When you watch Michael Che on Saturday Night Live, you’re seeing a masterclass in timing. He knows exactly how long to wait after a punchline for the audience's discomfort to peak before he lets them off the hook with a tiny, understated comment.
The Legacy of Michael Che at 30 Rock
So, where does he rank in the pantheon of SNL greats? He’s probably the most consistent anchor the show has ever had. He’s been doing it for over a decade. That’s longer than Tina Fey. Longer than Amy Poehler. Longer than Seth Meyers. He and Jost are the longest-running duo in the show’s 50-year history.
That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because they figured out a formula that works:
- The Straight Man vs. The Wildcard: Jost plays the corporate shill; Che plays the guy who just woke up.
- The Joke Swap: A recurring "event" that keeps the audience coming back.
- Social Commentary: Biting, often uncomfortable, but always rooted in a specific point of view.
Impact on Future Comedians
You can already see the "Che influence" in younger comedians. They don't want to be the polished, suit-and-tie hosts anymore. They want to be real. They want to talk about race, class, and politics without the "safe" filter that used to be required for network television. Michael Che on Saturday Night Live paved the way for a more raw, honest form of late-night comedy.
Even his solo projects, like "That Damn Michael Che" on Max (formerly HBO Max), show his range. He’s a storyteller. He’s a provocateur. But mostly, he’s just a guy who thinks the world is a bit of a mess and finds it hilarious.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Writers
If you’re a fan of Michael Che or you’re looking to break into comedy, there are a few things you can actually learn from his run on SNL:
- Find Your "Voice" and Stick to It: Che never tried to be "The Next Norm Macdonald." He was just Michael Che. People might hate it, but they won't confuse you for anyone else.
- Lean Into the Tension: The best jokes are the ones that make people gasp before they laugh. Don't be afraid to be the "bad guy" in a sketch or a segment.
- Longevity Requires Evolution: If you watch Che’s first season compared to his tenth, he’s much more confident, but he also knows when to step back and let the guest shine.
- The "Power of the Shrug": You don't always have to shout to be heard. Sometimes, the quietest remark is the one that lands the hardest.
Whether he leaves this year or five years from now, Michael Che on Saturday Night Live has left an indelible mark on the institution. He made it okay to be a little bit mean again. He made it okay to be cynical. And in doing so, he made the show more relevant than it had been in years. If you want to see the future of the show, watch the way he handles a crowd that’s turned against him. That’s where the real comedy lives.
Keep an eye on the upcoming 50th-anniversary specials. You can bet Che will have something to say that will probably get him in trouble with the NBC censors one last time. And honestly? We wouldn't want it any other way.