Another casting change might be in store for SNL cast have left the show. From Kate McKinnon to Pete Davidson, the NBC sketch comedy variety series has lost numerous repertory and recurring players in recent seasons. As a result, the makeup of the Saturday Night Live cast has changed quite a bit in the 2020s. However, a few esteemed stars remain, including Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, and, of course, Jost.

The Saturday Night Live season 50 finale will air on Saturday, May 17, at 11:30 pm ET on NBC.

Unfortunately, it appears as if one of Saturday Night Live's most prominent cast will leave in 2025. Neither NBC nor Jost himself has confirmed the rumors surrounding his exit, but many are convinced that he is stepping back from SNL after its landmark 50th season. Only time will tell what the future holds for the established Saturday Night Live cast member/writer. Until the truth unfolds, though, all we can do is gather the evidence that suggests season 50 is Jost's last season.

Colin Jost's SNL History Explained

Jost ed SNL In 2005

After graduating from Harvard University in 2004, Colin Jost applied for a job in Saturday Night Live's writers' room and was hired for season 31 in 2005. A few years later, he was promoted to the show's writing supervisor. Jost held that position for a few years until he was promoted once again — this time to co-head writer alongside Seth Meyers in 2012. A couple of years later, SNL creator Lorne Michaels asked Jost if he wanted to replace Meyers (who left to host Late Night with Seth Meyers) as one of the co-anchors of the iconic Weekend Update segment, and he agreed.

Jost held the title of Saturday Night Live's co-head writer from 2012 until 2015, when he stepped down. Despite leaving the highly-regarded position, Jost kept doing the Weekend Update segments alongside his co-anchor, Michael Che. In 2017, though, Jost and Che were named as SNL's co-head writers. So, until 2022, Jost and Che served as the NBC series' co-head writers and co-anchors of Weekend Update. Once again, Jost stepped away from his writing position in 2022, but since then, he has continued working alongside Che for the Weekend Update sketch.

Why SNL Season 50 Finale Is Rumored To Be Jost's Surprise Last Episode

Scarlett Johansson Is Hosting

Saturday Night Live season 50 serves as Colin Jost's 20th anniversary of working for the legendary NBC late-night sketch comedy variety TV show. However, it could also be his last year on SNL. There might be no better way to leave a job than after one's 20th anniversary, after all. In the weeks leading up to season 50's finale, many have speculated that Jost is planning on leaving SNL following the last episode. As mentioned above, neither NBC nor Jost has confirmed these rumors. However, some evidence suggests that there could be some validity to the reports.

In October 2021, Colin Jost broke Seth Meyers' SNL record for being the longest-serving Weekend Update anchor in the show's history. Meyers previously held the record with 154 episodes.

For starters, NBC previously announced that Scarlett Johansson is hosting the Saturday Night Live season 50 finale. As many know, Johansson is Jost's wife, and the two have collaborated on SNL frequently over the years. So, Johansson hosting Jost's last episode would be a great way for him to say goodbye to the series. On the other hand, Johansson does have a movie coming out on July 2, 2025 — Jurassic World Rebirth — and she is undoubtedly coming to SNL to promote it. Nevertheless, perhaps the couple is killing two birds with one stone.

Johansson hosting the season 50 finale isn't the only piece of evidence that points towards Jost leaving. A Reddit post detailed all the signs that Jost could be exiting SNL. For example, the episode will reportedly serve as Jost's 200th episode as a Weekend Update co-anchor, which could be another great milestone for him to end his SNL career. Jost has also gotten pretty big in recent years, and he certainly has a lot on his plate outside the NBC series. Consequently, despite his impressive tenure on SNL, it wouldn't be too surprising if he were to depart in 2025.

What Previous SNL Cast ' Exits May Reveal About Jost's Future In The Show

Jost Might Be Following The Career Trajectories Of Those Who Came Before Him

Not every Saturday Night Live star can be Kenan Thompson, as many of them, even the most popular cast , eventually leave. A lot of comedians often depart the show to spread their wings and explore other projects (like Amy Poehler and Jimmy Fallon). Meanwhile, others have gained a certain level of fame that encourages them to step away from SNL (like Kate McKinnon and Pete Davidson). Maybe it's time for Colin Jost to exit, too.

If any previous SNL cast ' careers were to mirror Jost's, it would be Seth Meyers'. Like Jost, Meyers worked as a writer and a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy variety series. He also served as a head writer and is regarded as one of the most notable Weekend Update anchors. Meyers left SNL to take over the Late Night show from Jimmy Fallon in 2014, and Jost could be thinking of following a similar path. Perhaps he won't pursue hosting like Meyers did (although he has the experience), but Jost might want to explore what the future holds for him post-SNL.

How Jost's Possible Exit Impacts SNL Season 51

Who Would Host Weekend Update?

Many have previously considered Colin Jost a candidate to replace Lorne Michaels on SNL. If he leaves after the season 50 finale, that theory flies out the window (and opens the door for other possibilities, like Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, or Steve Higgins, to take the showrunning position). Additionally, Jost's exit would significantly impact season 51 regarding the Weekend Update segment.

Unfortunately, fans must wait until the Saturday Night Live season 50 finale to learn whether Jost is staying or leaving, and if he does depart, what's in store for the show's future.

In the past, Michael Che claimed he wouldn't continue hosting Weekend Update without Jost. If this remains true, that could mean that season 51 will feature a new Weekend Update team. It's unclear who Jost and Che's replacements would be, but whoever they hypothetically are, they would have big shoes to fill. Unfortunately, fans must wait until the Saturday Night Live season 50 finale to learn whether Jost is staying or leaving, and if he does depart, what's in store for the show's future.

Source: Reddit