It was announced earlier in the week that Cecily Strong will be co-hosting “Weekend Update.” When Saturday Night Live returns, she will be sitting right beside Seth Meyers at the anchor desk. There were also be several new cast members. Lorne Michaels, the show’s producer, confirmed the move in a statement to the press.
Lorne Michaels is known for making bold decisions, and the inspiration for Dr. Evil did not disappoint when he announced who might be taking over “Weekend Update.”
Cecily Strong, who has been a cast member at SNL for less than a year, will be sitting down next to Seth Meyers when the show returns from hiatus. It’s unclear whether or not she will continue to host after Meyers makes his departure from the show in February.
Meyers has been given his own late-night talk show (which Michaels will also produce) and plans on jumping ship. Of course, Lorne has discouraged Seth from abandoning his post.
The longtime producer wants Seth to work both gigs, since his talk show won’t interfere with the shooting schedule of SNL. Meyers refrained from commenting on the situation, when he welcomed aboard Cecily Meyers, via Twitter:
“Very excited about the new Weekend Update co-anchor, @cecilybecily!...As for The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with, it's prob safe to assume that she died somewhere, mid-conversation.”
That isn’t the only changes NBC has in store for the legendary live show, as USA Today reports:
“NBC Monday also is expected to confirm six new "featured players" will join the cast later this month, the most new additions in years, to help replace a talent drain over the last two years that has seen the departures of Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis, Bill Hader and Fred Armisen, with Meyers, also head writer, slated to leave at midseason.”
