In the history of "SNL," there have been 19 full-time anchors of "Weekend Update" (renamed "SNL NewsBreak" and "Saturday Night News" during the Dick Ebersol era, from 1981 to 1985). If, as rumored, Seth Meyers leaves "SNL" at the end of this season to take over "Late Night" from Jimmy Fallon (who will be taking over "The Tonight Show" in 2014), the "Weekend Update" desk will be completely vacant for the first time in 13 years.
In all that time, the transition has always been obvious, owing to the two-anchor format that was in place between 2000 and 2008. When Jimmy Fallon left "SNL," in 2004, Tina Fey remained, and Amy Poehler took over for Fallon. When Fey left, Meyers replaced her. When Poehler left, executive producer Lorne Michaels decided to return "Update" to a one-anchor format.
So, who in the current cast would be the best fit for "Update"? Starting with Dennis Miller, who hosted "Weekend Update" from 1985 to 1991, the anchor has focused almost exclusively on the satirical news segment, appearing only rarely in other sketches. So you wouldn't want to take your strongest character actor and relegate him or her to "Update." Here's a look at each current cast member's odds of filling the chair left behind by Meyers -- that is, if he actually goes.
Bill Hader/Fred Armisen/Kenan Thompson/Jason Sudeikis
Odds: Off the board
Together, these four have a combined 38 years of "SNL" experience. All four also rank in the top 15 of cast members with the longest tenure in the show's history. So, yes, everyone here is looking forward to his post-"SNL" career (some sooner than later), not looking to take over "Weekend Update." (Though, in an alternate universe, I could see Jason Sudeikis being a great "Update" host.)
Nasim Pedrad
Odds: 50-1
Maybe the answer is to return to the two-anchor format, with Strong filling the Fallon/Poehler role (meaning: she'd continue to perform in sketches) while someone like, say, Tim Robinson holds down full-time hosting/writing duties.
Mike Ryan is senior writer for Huffington Post Entertainment. You can contact him directly on Twitter.
