Colin Jost and Michael Che, "Weekend Update" anchors and Emmy Award-nominated co-head writers of NBC's iconic and Emmy Award-winning late night franchise Saturday Night Live, have been named co-hosts of the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards. The telecast will be executive produced by SNL creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels.
The Emmys will air live coast-to-coast from the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 17 from 8-11 p.m. ET (5-8 p.m. PT) on NBC.
"NBC is thrilled to be the home of this year's Emmy Awards and with Colin and Michael in the driver's seat as hosts, along with surprise appearances by other cast members of Saturday Night Live, I think we are in for one of the funniest awards shows in a long time," said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.
Added Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment: "We're proud of our deep comedy roster at NBC, and Michael and Colin — along with the return of king of comedy producer Lorne Michaels — will make this the must-see comedy event of the year."
"We are elated that Colin Jost and Michael Che will bring their hilarious collective talents to hosting this year's Emmy Awards," said Hayma Washington, Television Academy chairman and CEO. "They have an amazing onscreen rapport and we are delighted to begin working with them along with the entire NBC team."
"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," commented Jost and Che in a joint statement.
Jost and Che are Emmy-nominated co-head writers on SNL who began their tenure on "Weekend Update" in 2014. A four-time WGA Award winner and recipient of a Peabody Award, Jost started at SNL as a writer in 2005. Che, who was previously named on Variety's 10 Comics to Watch list and Rolling Stone's 50 Funniest People joined SNL in 2013. Each was named as a co-head writer on SNL in 2017.
So far this season, Saturday Night Live is averaging a 2.82 rating in adults 18-49 and 9.405 million viewers in "live plus seven day" figures from Nielsen Media Research. This is the show's #2 most-watched season at this point in 23 years. With the inclusion of projected 35-day non-linear ratings, SNL this season is averaging a 3.78 rating in 18-49.
Nominations for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced Thursday, July 12 from the Television Academy's Wolf Theatre at the Saban Media Center.
About the Television Academy
The Television Academy seeks to expand the horizons of television excellence. It strives to empower storytellers who shape the evolving television space through the programs, publications and events of the Academy and its Foundation. And it celebrates those who have led excellence by recording their stories and recognizing their achievements through accolades and awards, including television's most coveted prize, the Primetime Emmy Award. For more information, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com.
###
MEDIA CONTACTS
NBC
Traci Saulsberry
Traci.Saulsberry@nbcuni.com
818-777-6649
Alyssa Sales
Alyssa.Sales@nbcuni.com
818-777-2845
Lauren Roseman
Lauren.Roseman@nbcuni.com
212-664-5236
Television Academy (breakwhitelight PR)
Jim Yeager
424-644-0225
jim@breakwhitelight.com
Stephanie Goodell
818-462-1150
stephanie@breakwhitelight.com
For the complete press release, click here.
