# Michael Che's Comedy Special and SNL Journey

> Michael Che's new Netflix special tackles politics and SNL's legacy with humor.
- Title: Michael Che's Comedy Special and SNL Journey · Vanity Fair
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: michael che, saturday night live, netflix special, weekend update, colin jost, comedy special, political comedy, snl cast, black snl cast, george floyd, ice shooting, r-word
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/saturday-night-live-michael-che-comedy-special
- Author: Chris Murphy
- Published: 2026-10-14T16:27:10.799+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: michael che, saturday night live, netflix special, weekend update, colin jost, comedy special, political comedy, snl cast, black snl cast, george floyd, ice shooting, r-word
## 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
## Key takeaway

Michael Che's Netflix comedy special addresses current events and his SNL career after 12 years.