Saturday Night Live cast member and writer Colin Jost is considering leaving the show in the near future, according to Variety. Jost, who joined SNL as a writer in 2005, is most famous for co-hosting “Weekend Update,” the show’s recurring comedy news segment, since 2014. In addition to this, Jost serves as one of the show’s head writers.
Jost’s memoir, A Very Punchable Face, is scheduled to be released April 14. Uncorrected preliminary versions of the memoir reviewed by Variety state that Jost is “preparing mentally” to leave SNL after this year’s presidential election. However, because the book has not been published yet, this phrasing — as well as Jost’s plans — is subject to change.
SNL typically premieres in late September or early October and runs until mid-May. Since the presidential election will happen in November, Jost will likely remain on SNL through the end of the show’s 46th season.
While Jost’s departure from the long-running variety show has not been confirmed, it is well within the realm of possibility. Jost hopes to take on bigger, long-term projects in the future, as opposed to SNL’s weekly sketches.
During his time at SNL, Jost has grown into one of the show’s biggest stars. In addition to co-hosting “Weekend Update” with Michael Che for the past six years, Jost has had a hand in writing numerous sketches. He has also played South Bend mayor and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg in recent sketches.
Outside of SNL, Jost has performed as a stand-up comedian and appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He has also written three pieces for The New Yorker and the screenplay for the 2015 comedy Staten Island Summer, starring Graham Phillips and Zack Pearlman.
It is unclear what the future holds for Jost, but in all likelihood, it will involve larger-scale projects. Jost is currently engaged to recent Academy Award nominee Scarlett Johansson, which could possibly open the door to bigger writing opportunities and roles.