Entertainment

Why 'Weekend Update' Could Be The Best Summer Show

NBC

You guys, I have the most amazing news! Weekend Update is coming to primetime television. And I don't know about you, but I think it could possibly be the best spin-off to hit tv this summer.

Just in case you can't already sense my level of enthusiasm, I'm really excited that Saturday Night Live has finally decided to grant us a spin-off of the wildly popular, Weekend Update segment of their show. It's, no doubt, my favorite part of SNL. To be completely honest, I sometimes fast forward straight to it and refrain from watching the other parts of the show, if I'm really in a hurry.

The August 2017 premiere certainly comes as perfect timing, with the cast and crew of SNL, like many other shows, in the midst of their yearly summer hiatus, which typically leaves us with some really slim pickings when it comes to satisfying our need for new programming. So you can most certainly bet that viewers will be tuned in to catch the weekly installment of WU.

I mean, you've got to really be excited if you're a huge fanatic of the late night variety show, as this could be just the thing to tide you over until the new season begins, right?

It's no surprise that SNL has decided to capitalize on their huge surge in ratings that has taken place over the past few months. The current season of the long running program has become the most-watched season in 24 years, according to Deadline. NBC Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt also explained the reason for the spin-off in a recent statement:

"SNL is having its best season in a quarter of a century ... so we didn’t want them to take the summer off.”

This is not, by any means,WU's first foray in the prime time slot. In the past, it aired for a few weeks leading up to the Presidential election of 2008, later returned for another six episodes in 2009, and then another took a stab at a run in 2012. But, as with most things in life, timing is everything and I certainly feel that this is Weekend Update's time to shine.

The 30 minute show, will continue to feature Weekend Update news anchors, Colin Jost and Michael Che, with other SNL cast members reportedly set to make guest appearances, so it's really great to hear that formula will remain the same.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to catch all of the newsroom shenanigans set to take place this summer.