Michael Che
Michael Che (born May 19, 1983) is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and television personality best known for co-anchoring the "Weekend Update" segment on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live (SNL) since September 2014, alongside Colin Jost.[1][2] A native of lower Manhattan, Che began his career performing stand-up comedy, winning New York's Funniest Stand-Up award in 2012 and earning recognition as one of Rolling Stone's "50 Funniest People" in 2013.[2] Prior to SNL, Che worked as a correspondent on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, contributing to its Emmy and Peabody Award-winning coverage through satirical field reports.[2] He joined SNL as a writer in 2013 before ascending to on-air anchor, where he also served as co-head writer from 2017 to 2022, contributing to the show's multiple Emmy wins, including for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special in 2025 for SNL50: The Anniversary Special.[3][4] Che has released two Netflix stand-up specials, Michael Che Matters (2016), addressing topics like inequality and gentrification, and Shame the Devil (2021), covering patriotism, mental health, and interpersonal dynamics.[5][6] He created and starred in the HBO Max sketch series That Damn Michael Che (2021–2022), which drew from his personal experiences with race and urban life.[2] Che's comedy, characterized by a laid-back delivery and focus on racial dynamics, politics, and social hypocrisies, has earned praise for its boundary-pushing style but also frequent backlash for jokes perceived as insensitive, such as those involving Black women stereotypes, Olympic athletes, or "joke swaps" with Jost that simulate racist delivery.[2][7][8] He has publicly defended unfiltered humor, advising comedians to avoid hosting award shows due to audience overreactions and criticizing environments that prioritize political correctness over punchlines.[9][10] In 2018, Che co-hosted the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards with Jost, a stint marked by mixed reception for its irreverent tone amid heightened cultural sensitivities.[2]Early life
Childhood and family background
Michael Che was born on May 19, 1983, in Manhattan, New York City.[1] He grew up as the youngest of seven siblings in the Lower East Side neighborhood, an area characterized by public housing projects prior to later gentrification.[11] [12] Che's family experienced financial hardship, with his mother raising the children after his parents separated; she had children from multiple marriages, contributing to the large household dynamic where the siblings often bonded over humor directed at their respective fathers.[13] His father, an enthusiast of history, selected his middle name in homage to revolutionary figure Che Guevara.[14] This environment of economic struggle and familial improvisation influenced Che's early perspective, as he later recounted immersing himself in street life amid the pre-gentrified urban setting.[11]Entry into comedy
Michael Che entered stand-up comedy around 2009, following a period of informal realization that his storytelling elicited laughter from peers and family. After graduating from LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where he focused on painting, Che supported himself by designing and vending custom t-shirts from his car's trunk, a hustle that honed his observational skills amid economic pressures in Brooklyn.[15] [16] This background in visual arts and street-level entrepreneurship informed his early material, which drew on urban life, racial dynamics, and personal anecdotes without initial reliance on polished routines. He began testing material at open-mic nights in New York City venues, committing to the grind by booking multiple sets across clubs in a single evening to refine timing and delivery. By late 2012, after roughly three years of consistent performances, Che had established a reputation as a prolific and unfiltered comic in the local scene, performing raw sets that prioritized punchy, socially pointed observations over traditional setups.[16] This intensive early phase, devoid of formal training, emphasized endurance and audience feedback as primary validators of his approach.[17]Stand-up career
Early performances and local recognition
Michael Che began performing stand-up comedy in 2009, starting with an open-mic night in New York City's Greenwich Village where he paid $5 for five minutes of stage time.[18] He quickly immersed himself in the local scene, regularly doing multiple sets per night and co-hosting a weekly showcase called "Broken Comedy" at Bar Matchless in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood on Monday nights.[18] His first paid gig came after about six months, earning $20 plus drink tickets, reflecting the grind of early New York comedy where performers often hustled for exposure in competitive, no-frills venues.[18] Che, a Lower East Side native, drew from street culture and observational humor on topics like gentrification—describing it as "white people moving to a messed-up neighborhood and opening cupcake stores"—which resonated in the city's diverse, fast-paced club circuit.[19] By 2011, Che gained initial local notice through Comedy Central's "Comics to Watch" showcase, highlighting his rising presence among New York comedians.[18][19] He also featured in Caroline's Breakout Artist Comedy Series and on John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show, cementing his reputation in Manhattan's comedy ecosystem.[19] These spots underscored his rapid ascent, as he performed relentlessly in a scene known for its tough crowds and emphasis on authentic delivery over polish. Local recognition peaked in 2012 when Che won the New York's Funniest Stand-Up competition at the New York Comedy Festival, a voter-driven event that spotlighted emerging talent from the city's clubs.[2][20] That year, he made his late-night television debut on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman on November 3, performing a set that built on his club-honed material about race, privilege, and urban life.[21] The win and appearance marked a breakthrough, validating his four years of grinding in New York's open mics and showcases while positioning him for broader opportunities.[20]National breakthrough and specials
Che's national breakthrough in stand-up occurred in 2012 when he won New York's Funniest competition at the Apollo Theater, earning broader recognition within the comedy industry.[2] That same year, on November 3, he made his late-night television debut with a stand-up set on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman, marking his first major national exposure.[21] In January 2013, Rolling Stone named him one of the "50 Funniest People Now," highlighting his rapid ascent through New York City's stand-up scene after starting performances in 2009.[22] These milestones paved the way for Che's stand-up specials. His first national half-hour special aired on Comedy Central's The Half Hour in 2014, showcasing his observational humor on race, relationships, and urban life.[21] In April 2016, Netflix released Michael Che Matters, his debut hour-long special filmed live in Brooklyn, where he addressed topics including inequality, gentrification, and personal anecdotes from his Lower East Side upbringing.[5] The special received mixed reviews for its raw, unfiltered style but solidified his presence in streaming comedy.[23] Che's subsequent specials continued this trajectory. In 2018, he appeared in Netflix's Seth Rogen's Hilarity for Charity, contributing stand-up amid a celebrity lineup benefiting the Alzheimer's Association.[21] His second solo hour-long special, Shame the Devil, premiered on HBO on November 16, 2021, recorded in Oakland and tackling American patriotism, mental health, Black leadership, and interpersonal dynamics with his signature provocative edge.[24] Critics noted its intensity, with Che confronting audience discomfort directly, though some outlets questioned its balance between humor and polemic. These releases, spaced amid his Saturday Night Live commitments, demonstrated his evolution from club performer to platform-backed headliner.Saturday Night Live involvement
Hiring as writer
Michael Che joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2013, beginning with a two-week stint as a guest writer in February of that year.[25] His initial role was extended to include the final three episodes of the show's 38th season, after which he was brought on full-time for the 39th season starting in September 2013.[25] Prior to this, Che had established himself as a stand-up comedian, contributing to outlets like The New York Times and performing at clubs such as the Comedy Cellar, which likely positioned him for the opportunity.[26] The hiring took place against a backdrop of public scrutiny over SNL's limited diversity, including an all-white cast in the preceding season and underrepresentation in the writers' room, prompting calls for broader inclusion in creative roles.[27] Che's addition as one of the few Black writers at the time addressed part of these concerns, though the show's overall staff composition remained a point of debate.[28] His tenure as a writer was relatively brief, as he transitioned to a correspondent role on The Daily Show in June 2014 before returning to SNL later that year.[29]Transition to Weekend Update
In September 2014, Saturday Night Live announced that Michael Che, who had joined the show's writing staff in 2013, would be promoted to featured cast member and co-anchor of Weekend Update for its 40th season, partnering with Colin Jost and replacing Cecily Strong, who had shared the desk with Jost since March of that year.[30][31] The move positioned Che, then 31, as the first Black comedian to anchor the segment on a regular basis, following a brief stint as a correspondent for The Daily Show during the summer of 2014 while retaining his SNL writing role.[32][33] Che's debut as co-anchor occurred on September 27, 2014, during the season premiere hosted by Chris Pratt, marking a shift toward a duo of male anchors after Strong's mid-season pairing with Jost in the prior year.[30] Producers cited Che's sharp, observational style honed through stand-up and writing as aligning with the segment's evolving needs for edgier political commentary, though the decision drew some criticism for reducing female representation at the desk.[31][34] This promotion solidified Che's on-camera presence, transitioning him from behind-the-scenes contributions—where he had penned sketches emphasizing urban and racial humor—to a prominent role delivering topical jokes live each week.[32]Key segments and style
Michael Che's style on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update is characterized by a deadpan delivery that emphasizes understatement and sharp, often provocative punchlines targeting race, politics, and social issues.[35] His humor frequently draws on personal observations of the "human element" in controversial situations, blending absurdity with political critique while maintaining an unflappable on-air presence.[11] [36] This approach has evolved to include more pointed commentary, sometimes described as insightful yet abrasive, prioritizing raw edge over broad appeal.[37] A signature recurring segment is the "joke swap" with co-anchor Colin Jost, introduced in December 2018 and featured in season finales and holiday episodes, where each reads jokes written by the other without prior review, often resulting in awkward or intentionally uncomfortable delivery of edgy material.[38] This bit, repeated in May 2021, May 2024, December 2024, and May 2025, highlights Che's willingness to push boundaries, as the unread jokes frequently include racially charged or politically incorrect content that tests the anchors' composure.[39] [40] [41] [42] Che's contributions in these swaps often amplify themes of racial disparity and cultural critique, distinguishing his portions from Jost's more conventional style.[43] Other notable segments include standalone monologues addressing current events, such as pranks on Jost or guest interactions in Season 48 episodes from 2022-2023, which underscore Che's improvisational flair and focus on interpersonal dynamics amid news satire.[44] His writing prioritizes concise, observational jabs over elaborate setups, contributing to Update's shift toward more polarized humor since his 2014 promotion to anchor.[45]Other media projects
That Damn Michael Che
That Damn Michael Che is an American sketch comedy television series created by, written by, and starring comedian Michael Che, which aired on HBO Max.[46] The show premiered on May 6, 2021, with its first season consisting of six episodes, each structured as an anthology of sketches exploring personal and societal themes from a Black American perspective, such as family dynamics, racial stereotypes, unemployment, and interpersonal relationships.[46] Sketches often draw from Che's autobiographical experiences in New York City, blending humor with social commentary on issues like police interactions and cultural expectations, delivered through recurring characters played by a ensemble cast including Godfrey as Calvin, a laid-back friend figure, and guest stars like Ellen Cleghorne.[46] The series returned for a second and final season on May 26, 2022, comprising five episodes that delved deeper into more personal topics, including intervention scenarios, mediocrity in Black communities, spirituality, and reflections on past traumas.[47] Production was handled by Universal Television, with filming primarily in New York City, emphasizing raw, unpolished sketches that eschew traditional laugh tracks in favor of naturalistic delivery to heighten the realism of the comedic situations.[46] Che served as executive producer alongside Jerrod Carmichael and others, positioning the show as a platform for unfiltered takes on everyday absurdities faced by Black individuals, often critiquing both internal community pressures and external societal biases without softening edges for broader appeal.[48] Reception for That Damn Michael Che has been generally positive among critics for revitalizing the sketch comedy format with bold, topical content reminiscent of earlier shows like Chappelle's Show, though not matching its cultural impact.[49] It holds a 7.4 out of 10 rating on IMDb based on over 1,500 user votes and achieved 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for Season 1 from seven reviews, praised for intelligent reckoning with social conditioning and mature humor.[46] Reviewers noted its strength in lowbrow hits amid big ideas, with Vulture highlighting sketches that effectively satirize the absurdity of racial and class-based expectations, while audience feedback appreciated the absence of forced punchlines and focus on relatable, cringeworthy truths.[50] However, some critiques pointed to occasional unevenness in sketch pacing and reliance on shock value over sustained narrative depth, leading to its cancellation after two seasons despite calls for renewal due to its niche but dedicated appeal.[51]Film roles and writing credits
Che's acting credits in feature films are limited to minor supporting roles. In Chinese Puzzle (2013), directed by Cédric Klapisch, he appeared as an uncredited passerby in this romantic comedy-drama. In Lyle (2014), a psychological thriller directed by Stewart Thorndike, Che portrayed Threes, a friend of the protagonist.[52] His most notable film role came in Top Five (2014), written and directed by Chris Rock, where he played Paul, one of the comedian protagonist's friends, reflecting his early connections in the New York comedy scene.[53] More recently, Che featured in the 2025 documentary In Whose Name?, directed by Nico Ballesteros, which includes footage of him confronting Kanye West backstage at Saturday Night Live.[54] Che has no writing credits on feature films; his writing work has been confined to television, including Saturday Night Live sketches and stand-up specials.[1] An early non-acting credit includes serving in the camera and electrical department for the action film War (2007), starring Jet Li and Jason Statham, prior to his comedy breakthrough.[55]| Film Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| War | 2007 | Camera and Electrical Department | Crew credit, not acting or writing |
| Chinese Puzzle | 2013 | Un passant | Minor/uncredited appearance |
| Lyle | 2014 | Threes | Supporting role |
| Top Five | 2014 | Paul | Supporting role as friend |
| In Whose Name? | 2025 | Self | Documentary appearance |