From Vanity Fair · Chris Murphy · · 2m
Michael Che's Comedy Special and SNL Journey
Michael Che's new Netflix special tackles politics and SNL's legacy with humor.
In brief
Michael Che's new Netflix special tackles politics and SNL's legacy with humor. Michael Che's Netflix comedy special addresses current events and his SNL career after 12 years. Originally reported by Vanity Fair.
Michael Che's Sopranos Habit
Michael Che watches The Sopranos four to five times a year, all the way through.
“It’s my comfort zone show”
SNL Schedule Challenges
Che says SNL’s grueling schedule makes it hard to find time for his own comedy work.
“It’s hard to pick it up after six to seven months [away]”
SNL Jacket Signatures
Che shows a Yankees bomber jacket signed by SNL legends including Garrett Morris.
“I got everybody to sign my jacket…Tina and Eddie and all those guys”
New Netflix Special
Che’s third stand-up special, Shot in Minnesota, just debuted on Netflix.
“Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota”
Minnesota Vibe
Che taped the special in Minneapolis for its unique vibe and timing.
“The vibe, the venue, it just felt different”
Political Comedy Focus
Che’s special addresses George Floyd’s death and ICE’s fatal shooting of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
“Shot in Minnesota contains a deeper meaning when considering the death of George Floyd”
Current Topics in Special
Che makes punchlines about Charlie and Erika Kirk, MAGA hats, and the R-word.
“Y’all don’t know this, but I own like three daycares here”
Comedy Style
Che explains his comedy style: figuring out issues in real time without taking a strong stance.
“I try to stay in the world of figuring it out in real time”
SNL vs. Stand-Up
Che says stand-up comedy is very different from his SNL role.
“Hell no, man. Does it look like it? [They are] very, very, very different jobs”
Audience Reaction
Che gauges audience reactions to SNL jokes in real time, laughing at failures.
“People be like, ‘Why are you laughing at your joke?’ he says”
SNL Career Start
Che was hired as an SNL guest writer in 2013, the only Black writer at the time.
“Coming here, it was tough because I was the only Black writer here”
Black SNL Cast Growth
Che became the first Black Weekend Update co-anchor in 2014 after Black cast members joined.
“Then Leslie [Jones] came, and then Sasheer [Zamata] came”
Druski Collaboration
Che mentions SNL’s digital creator host Druski, who’s set to host November 7.
“Druski is in many ways cut from a similar cloth as Che”
Age and SNL
Che says SNL is for young people and he tries to stay out of their way.
“It’s for young people, I think. Man, I try to stay out their way”
Dating Life
Che jokes about dating difficulties with Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson.
“It’s hard to find someone to go on double dates with Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson”
SNL’s Legacy
Che says SNL has been better to him than he’s been to it, like a Yankees fan.
“It’s one of the last appointment viewings on television that’s not sports”
What to remember
Michael Che's Netflix comedy special addresses current events and his SNL career after 12 years.
