Michael Che is ‘SNL’s’ First Black Head Writer

By Sameer Rao Dec 13, 2017

Michael Che, the first Black comedian to co-host the “Weekend Update” news segment on “Saturday Night Live,” (“SNL”) makes history again as the late-night sketch comedy institution’s first-ever head writer of color.


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Variety reported yesterday (December 12) that Che and Colin Jost, his fellow “Weekend Update” anchor, join current co-head writers Kent Sublette and Bryan Tucker to run the show’s writers’ room.


Che began writing for “SNL” in 2013, he first sat in the “Weekend Update” chair in 2014 and he has been a member of the main cast since 2016. The Manhattan native appeared on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” as a correspondent for several weeks before moving to “SNL.” His acting credits include appearances in “Top Five” and “Detroiters," for which he also wrote two episodes. Che began his career as a standup comedian, and he still performs on stages across the country. He released his first full-length comedy special, “Michael Che Matters,” through Netflix in November 2016.


Here are a few choice Che clips from throughout his career:


“Race/Off”



In one of his few “The Daily Show” bits, Che reports about the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by ex-Ferguson Police Department officer Darren Wilson in 2014. He comments on the pervasiveness of police violence by repeatedly moving to different locations in an attempt to feel safer. He ultimately goes to the one place that is free from police racism: outer space.


“Black Lives Matter v. All Lives Matter”



This clip from the Netflix special features Che meditating on Black Lives Matter and deconstructing frequent anti-Black talking points.


"Hurricane Maria"



Che calls President Donald Trump a “cheap cracker” while addressing his federal response to Hurricane Maria and tweets attacking San Juan mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz on a recent "Weekend Update" segment.