SNL‘s Micheal Che made a dig at his own network after MSNBC star Joy Reid’s show was cancelled, joking that his status as a black anchor meant he’d be fired next.

‘This week, MSNBC fired its only non-white primetime host,’ Che said, in reference to Reid’s firing. ‘And Lester Holt announced he is stepping down as the anchor of NBC Nightly News.’

A picture of Che hosting the Weekend Update flashed on screen and he joked: ‘Well, NBC, only one more to go, baby!’ Saturday Night Live is broadcast by NBC.

Reid, who previously filled the 7pm slot with The ReidOut, became a prominent weekday host in 2020.

Three other non-white hosts were also demoted by MSNBC. Jonathan Capehart, Katie Phang and Ayman Mohyeldin all lost primetime shows, but will remain with the network in less prestigious timeslots.

Holt is remaining as host of Dateline, but the timing of his announcement coupled with the MSNBC drama has raised uncomfortable questions for executives about the departure of non-white talent.

Status News reported that Reid’s constant progressive, anti-Trump rants unsettled MSNBC bosses. They want the network to remain liberal during the second Trump administration, but in a more subtle way.

As the first and only Black Weekend Update Host, Che, following Holt’s departure and Reid’s firing, is now one of the few non-white anchors left at NBC.

Che was not the only one bashing the network for the controversial move, as longtime MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said that it was a ‘bad mistake.’ 

SNL's Michael Che took aim at NBCUniversal news group, who screens SNL, over the firing of two prominent non-white news anchors and even wondered if he might be the next to go while he hosted the comedy show's Weekend Update

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SNL’s Michael Che took aim at NBCUniversal news group, who screens SNL, over the firing of two prominent non-white news anchors and even wondered if he might be the next to go while he hosted the comedy show’s Weekend Update

Joy Reid hosted The ReidOut on MSNBC and became a prominent weekday host. Her show was cancelled on Monday coupled with the news she wouldn't be taking a position elsewhere in the network

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Joy Reid hosted The ReidOut on MSNBC and became a prominent weekday host. Her show was cancelled on Monday coupled with the news she wouldn’t be taking a position elsewhere in the network

A picture of Che hosting the Weekend Update flashed on screen and he joked: 'Well, NBC, only one more to go, baby!'

+6
View gallery

A picture of Che hosting the Weekend Update flashed on screen and he joked: ‘Well, NBC, only one more to go, baby!’