Welp, This First SNL Season 51 Weekend Update News We Got Was Not What I Expected

by

With the historic 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” now in the past (accompanied by the SNL50 concert special, the star-studded anniversary special, and more), fans can anticipate a less extravagant comeback for Season 51 on the TV schedule in 2025. At this point, it remains unclear who will lead the roster of upcoming guest hosts and musical acts. However, there’s been another departure during the break, this time involving “Weekend Update.

Previously, Lorne Michaels hinted at some behind-the-scenes modifications before Season 51. The initial significant adjustment was announced with the news that Devon Walker, who’d been there for three years, would be the first cast member let go. More recent developments have surfaced, as writer Rosebud Baker has disclosed her decision to step down and no longer contribute to the scripts of current “Weekend Update” hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che. Speculation swirls about their future roles as well, as rumors suggest potential changes may be on the horizon for them too.

Baker shared her news with the world at large via Instagram, writing this on a Stories post alongside an SNL Network headline:

Uh Oh… now Rosebud Baker is gonna be loose in the world??? Y’all are in trouble.

Rosebud Baker

After the comedy act posted details about several forthcoming events where audiences could witness her live performance, it’s likely that some of her future acts might include references or commentary related to stories surrounding her departure from SNL.

Initially, Baker commenced her tenure on “Saturday Night Live” in 2022 during Season 47’s midpoint. Prior to this, she had been contributing to the scripts of HBO Max’s “That Damn Michael Che.” This prior connection proved beneficial when she was incorporated into the “Weekend Update” crew at the onset of Season 50. During a chat on the podcast “Fly on the Wall” with Dana Carvey and David Spade, she spoke about her role, likening the process of sifting through numerous unusual news stories to preparation for becoming a sociopath.

It’s not too unexpected that she’s no longer part of the “Weekend Update” rotation following her first season. However, what fans may be curious about is whether Rosebud Baker’s exit was a one-time occurrence or if it hints at persistent rumors suggesting Colin Jost and Michael Che might be leaving their positions.

According to recent reports, neither of the two comedians have confirmed their participation in Season 51 as of yet, leading some to speculate that Lorne Michaels could be preparing other cast members for the prestigious roles. It’s been mentioned that cast member Michael Longfellow and SNL writer KC Shornima were both given a tryout to showcase their abilities for the “Weekend Update” segment, but details about how it went or future developments are currently scarce.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I recently learned that Baker’s departure was announced, following an initial shake-up behind the scenes. It was Writer Celeste Yim, SNL’s first openly trans writer, who shared that they were embarking on a new journey towards lusher opportunities.

Starting this coming Saturday, October 4th, NBC will air the start of Season 51 for “Saturday Night Live”, which can also be streamed via a Peacock subscription. If you’d like to catch up before then, Netflix subscribers can enjoy Rosebud Baker’s latest stand-up special, titled “The Mother Lode“.

Read More

2025-08-27 18:08