'SNL' Promotes Head Writer Colin Jost to 'Weekend Update' Co-Anchor

Saturday Night Live has announced who will join Cecily Strong as co-anchor of Weekend Update, and it's a curveball — the show has promoted head writer Colin Jost to the role.

Big congrats to our head writer, @TheColinJost, who will join @cecilybecily at the @SNLUpdate desk as @sethmeyers' successor!! #SNL
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) January 23, 2014

Many SNL experts (myself included, if I count as an expert) had focused on the current roster of castmembers when trying to figure out who would replace Seth Meyers after Meyers moved over to Late Night. It looks like we all should have been paying attention to the behind-the-scenes talents on SNL.

According to his Wikipedia page, Jost has been writing for SNL since he was 22. According to Deadline, Jost's writing résumé includes "the 'We Did Stop' music video about the government shutdown featuring Miley Cyrus and the 50 Shades Of Grey screen test. He also has written for recurring characters on Weekend Update including Drunk Uncle, The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With at a Party (who was played by Strong) and Second-hand news correspondent Anthony Crispino."