- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
Saturday Night Live has a new anchor for “Weekend Update.”
Executive producer Lorne Michaels said in an interview with The New York Times that Cecily Strong, who joined the show last year, will join Seth Meyers on the anchor desk starting with the season premiere on Sept. 28.
“Cecily, from the first show, was right there,” Michaels said. “She exploded.”
PHOTOS: From Live TV to the Big Screen: 12 ‘SNL’ Sketches Made Into Movies
Meyers is departing the long-running NBC series in February to host the network’s Late Night, taking over from Jimmy Fallon, who is taking over hosting duties from Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.
Michaels said his plan is to have Strong and Meyers co-anchor the segment together. It’s possible that Strong could take over as sole anchor, but Michaels said he actually would like to see Meyers stay on “Weekend Update” beyond February. He said that, since Late Night doesn’t tape on Friday, it’s possible that Meyers — who also was head writer before relinquishing those duties to Colin Jost and Rob Klein for the new season — could do some work for SNL on that day.
STORY: Get to Know the 5 New Faces of ‘SNL’
Strong, meanwhile, is known for such characters as The Girl You Wished You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With at a Party — a “Weekend Update” regular — as well as Girlfriends Talk Show co-host Kyra; retail worker Dana, who insults co-workers afraid of getting fired; and The Other Woman, who shills for products in barely coherent commercials.
The news comes following the departures of fellow castmembers Fred Armisen, Bill Hader and Jason Sudeikis. Five new faces are joining the show this season: Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney, John Milhiser, Brooks Wheelan and Noel Wells. Mike O’Brien is being upped to regular.
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day