While the 2008 presidential elections is long done and Obama has already assumed office, NBC bigwigs still feel that the news is still hot ticket, as they order at least six and as many as thirteen primetime editions of Weekend Update, one of the more popular segments of Saturday Night Live. The peacock network produced special primetime editions of Update last season during the campaign period, the weeks leading to the November polls, all to excellent ratings.
NBC announced recently that it will produce half-hour specials to air most likely on Thursday night, similar to last season's schedule. This will be the first time the Weekend Update specials will be a weekly part of NBC's fall schedule even on weeks when Saturday Night Live is not in production.
Like the regular Weekend Update, the shows will be anchored by
SNL head writer and cast member Seth Myers. Two former anchors and
SNL alums, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, already have two comedy series of their own with
30 Rock and
Parks and Recreation, and might guest at the news desk. Jimmy Fallon, also a Weekend Update alum, is doing Late Night.
The move, however, might mean the axe for endangered Thursday comedy
My Name is Earl, at least at the start of the season.
Weekend Update is
SNL's longest running recurring sketch, having been on the show's first broadcast, with Chevy Chase as the first anchor. The segment returned to having dual anchors in 2000, with Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey.
On tomorrow's episode of
SNL, Justin Timberlake will host for the third time, while Ciara will perform as the musical guest.
- Glenn Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source:
New York Times
(Image courtesy of NBC)