With current head writer and Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers heading off to start his own talk show this February (he’s obtaining the current Jimmy Fallon spot, as Fallon ascends to host of the Tonight Show), the world of Saturday Night Live is in a state of flux.

That said, as always, head producer Lorne Michaels has a plan.  Enter new Weekend Update co-anchor Cecily Strong.

Strong, who debuted last season, is perhaps best known for her drop in appearances at the Weekend Update desk, most notably as the character The Girl You Wished You Hadn’t Started A Conversation With At A Party.

It was these skills that caused Michaels to place her into the co-anchor spot as SNL returns on September 28th, for a show to be hosted by Tina Fey, featuring musical guest Arcade Fire.

This decision, and the addition of new cast members, in the wake of the departure of Meyers, Fred Armisen, Jason Sudekis and Bill Hader, are the focus of a great, lengthy New York Times article posted over the weekend.

Strong will be the 32nd person to take the Weekend Update chair in the show’s four-decade history, and yet only the 6th woman, following such powerhouses as Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

You may ask - why a co-anchor? Due to the production schedule of Seth Meyer’s late night show (a Monday-Thursday schedule, a’la The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and Conan), Meyer’s may be able to continue at the desk for the rest of the season, if not beyond it.

Source: New York Times