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‘SNL’ skit ‘Weekend Update’ to air in prime time in August

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The “Saturday Night Live” skit “Weekend Update” will get its own prime-time run in August.

The show — which has earned President Trump’s frequent ire over its portrayal of him — will air four 30-minute episodes this summer, it announced Tuesday.

The ratings of “SNL” have surged this season, with Alec Baldwin playing Trump and frequent sketches about the campaign and new administration. And while Colin Jost and Michael Che will host the mock news show, other “SNL” cast members are expected to make appearances.

{mosads}“SNL is having its best season in a quarter of a century – how many shows can say that?! –  so we didn’t want them to take the summer off,” NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“We’re thrilled to have Colin Jost and Michael Che continuing their unique brand of news with fresh ‘Weekend Update’ shows in primetime this August.”

It won’t be the first time that the “SNL” segment has aired in prime time. Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler hosted the show in prime time ahead of the 2008 presidential election. After that, it was renewed for six more prime-time episodes in 2009, but only three aired. It came back to prime time in the run-up to the 2012 presidential election as well.

“SNL” has won acclaim in recent months for lampooning the 2016 campaign and the early months of Trump’s presidency. Trump has slammed the show on multiple occasions, claiming that its ratings were sinking because of its portrayal of him.

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