NBC taps 'SNL' stars Michael Che and Colin Jost for Emmys hosting gig

NBC will turn to Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost to host the 2018 Emmy Awards.

This marks a change from several years of white-male late night hosts (well, a gradual change) and increases likelihood of more SNL cast members joining the telecast (KATE. MCKINNON).

“We’re proud to be the first duo hosting the Emmys since Jenna Elfman and David Hyde Pierce, and somehow that’s a real fact,” the duo said in an NBC press release. Wow, how is that a fact?

With so many award shows in the last few years being emceed by late night hosts, Che and Jost are SNL's next best thing. They aren't the most prolific or most tenured cast members (Kenan Thompson has been there 15 years), but as the show's head writers they have a unique grasp of the intersection of news and entertainment.

Paul Telegdy, president, alternative and reality group, NBC Entertainment said this would be "the must-see comedy event of the year," while NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt was confident in promising "one of the funniest awards shows in a long time."

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"Additional cast members" all but guarantees their colleagues showing up in costume as various members of the Trump administration, which offers exciting possibilities and hopefully won't overshadow the rest of the show. NBC clearly hopes SNL's recently resurgent success will draw in new Emmy viewers.

The Emmy Awards will air Sept. 17 on NBC.